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TRUE STORIES 

Attractive, Dramatic, Amusing 
and Moral Aspect 


BY 

JOSEPH COHN 


YONKERS, N. Y. 




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TRUE STORIES 

Attractive, Dramatic, Amusing 
and Moral Aspect 


BY 

JOSEPH COHN 

\\ 

YONKERS, N. Y. 


COPYRIGHT 1924 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 


Printed by Gazette Press, Yonkers, N. Y. 



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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Voice of Conscience ...... 1 

Reward for Benefaction ..... 9 

The Goldsmith . . . . 19 

A Soul’s Destiny . . . . . . . 50 

Jokai Maurus ... ... 59 

The Little Chajim at the Melamed ... 63 

Love ........ 80 

Supplement . . . . . 81 


















1 *. 









VOICE OF CONSCIENCE 


When conscience knocks the heart 
Life is exposed to depart; 

When almost desperate 
Then remorse comes too late. 

Again the wife of the attorney made noise in the room. 
Her shouting was heard in the next room by the attorney, 
Dr. Franz Shroeder who was walking back and forth. His 
lips closed and a smoking pipe in his hand. 

She scolded the little Hans, because he spilled the coffee, 
her voice yelling at a whoop of her voice. 

The attorney became enraged more and more. His 
indignation showed itself by red spots on his pale cheeks. 
Suddenly he opened the door and called, “But child, think 
of it! The people are standing in the street. Be quiet! 
so the attorney spoke to her in a soft voice. 

Agatha Shroeder, the wife of the attorney, who in her 
ornamented, red princess dress looked like a wounded lion, 
turned about, her eyes: sparkling with anger, her body 
trembling with excitement, she answered in a loud voice, 
“This too, only you are wanting here ! In your eyes the boy 
is always right, every stranger even a begger has more right 
in your eyes then your own wife. Go, go, lest I become 
violent.” 

A deep sigh wrested itself from the lips of the attorney 
as he again closed the door behind himself and returned into 
his parlor. 

“Oh this wife is always striving and scolding and does 
not consider the opinions of the neighbors,” the attorney 
murmured quietly. 

Dr. Shroeder opened a book, he wanted to work, still 
the afflicted thoughts were stronger then the power of work. 
The letters in the book began to jump up and down, hither 
and thither. The book should have brought a respire to his 
restless soul. No, it was impossible to dive into earnest 


2 


work at such a time. Cursed books damned education! 
Why had he not become a locksmith, a shoemaker or a 
tailor? These people are going after their business and at 
least need not think; why had he become an attorney and a 
thinker and let himself be afflicted by his lack of will? Why 
had he become an attorney in order to be fettered to his 
wife all the time? Was he compelled? No! He must go 
away from this misery. This would not do any longer lest 
he go crazy. He was not far from it at this time. He 
sighed—sighed again. 

It had been and still was his duty to play this sad roll 
further and carry further the heavy yoke, his sad sentiment 
forced him to endure the yoke still longer. 

Now he knew it, that the little poisonous drops trickling 
from Amor’s arrow darken even the clearest eyes so that 
they see things which never exist, it warms itself on the 
reflection of its own flames and imagins that it be the 
radiated fire of the eye of the sweetheart. 

Agatha Shroeder was a beauty, an immaculate beauty. 
Black eyes, a greek nose adorned the regularly formed 
profile. When she opened her mouth one could see two 
rows of white pearly teeth, the round neck the junonic figure 
and the raven black hair made Agatha a woman of a dazzl¬ 
ing beauty. But all the appearance were quite and cool, 
careless, lifeless. A cool imposing beauty, selfish, her only 
desire was to stir admiration because this, to be admired, 
she preferred above all, for she was of the self conceited class. 
Yea, how many children fell a victim to madness of love! 
At the coffin of her mother, as she stood lonesome and 
foresaken, the private lecturer at a University and assistant 
at the criminal Seminary, who although trained the rigorous 
could not support himself, bid her his hand for life. As the 
tears rolled down her pale countenance, the tender hearted 
man admitted to her his love, and she fell gratefully upon 
his neck, asseverated an inclination, which signified nothing 
more than to be freed from an unsure future. Her mother, 


3 


the widow of an officer who lived on a small pension, left 
no valuables, and Agatha who had only passed her first 
buds, was only glad to follow and become his wife, for he 
offered her a comfortable home. 

Feish Kohn hung the position of lecturer and the faith 
of his parents on the nail, the faith which had broken fidelity 
in his heart long ago, in order to be able to marry his wife 
and be called Dr. Franz Shroeder. But was it love? No, 
it was compassion. He would not have ceased to love her, 
if she would have remained to him, as what she seemed to 
him to be at the coffin of her mother, a weeping, pitiable help¬ 
less being, a wife full of heart and courage. But at that time 
she was only redeemed from her milieu; she had concealed 
the longing of which she was caught. Once the well cared 
for woman, she fell back into her old humor, into her old 
faults. 

Agatha was even a harsh, fearless soul full of mas¬ 
culine energy who was lacking the charm of appearance and 
tender womanhood, in spite of that she was not a charmless 
creature. He could have gone to her, tell her, let me go, 
go in peace from where I came, perhaps we will be happier. 
Happy! To the superficial observer they appeared to be 
happy, for he endured all her tempers, fulfilled her every 
wish and this his kindness and goodness, as well as her gladly 
temper after fulfilled wishes, betrayed the people. It is 
true, she grumbled, scolded about all things, but scolding, 
grumbling and quarrelings is a matter of nature in life, 
which belongs to many women. He desired to leave his 
profession to his child and himself flee, but he lacked the 
power of doing it. Again pains began always to take hold 
of him whereby his soul seemed to perish. He wished to 
go, but he was not able, for he was too much bound to his 
child and to his profession. Should he bring this catastro¬ 
phe to pass by force? And would he carry through, the 
divorce, what then? He was a man of aesthetic sense and 
his heart and spirit, his upright nature, were striving against 


4 


this unhappy divorce. And what should become of little 
Hans, of the child to whom every nerve of his heart clung? 
And Rose, should he forsake? Rose, the companion of his 
strivings, the companion in his active work for human love, 
the pretty human being. He could not spin this thought 
any further for it suddenly was knocking on the door. “It 
is Rose ! and ran joyfully to meet her. 

Rose Herz was a girl of middle height with chestnut 
brown hair, her brown eyes looked so kind therein that at 
her looks ones heart was caused to become warm, her pale 
face was formed so tender and noble, yea the whole human 
showed that the qualities of her body agreed with her noble 
spirit in harmony, in this beautiful human body lives also a 
noble soul. Rose was the advisor of the attorney, she alone 
could read his heart, she helped and protected his clients, he 
explained her every law suit, bespoke with her all educational 
studies. Whosoever saw them both how they looked each 
other into the eyes with delight; how each other hung to the 
lips, he must have recognized that in these hearts was burn¬ 
ing the glow of hot love and even if the mouth did not dare 
to express, the hearts have found themselves, the souls were 
melted together. 

Rose noticed it that the attorney will have this day a 
bad time and she looked him so warm-hearted into his eyes 
that the dark folds of his forehead disappeared. Now he 
was indeed pretty, the tall wide-shouldered Franz, with the 
blond beard, his tender blue eyes did not look so dark as 
before. Sunken in confidential chattering, they sat opposite 
each other bespeaking things soon indifferent until it began 
to be dark gradually. 

Dr. Franz Shroeder was alone again and sorrowing 
thoughts overpowered him. The thought about his wife, 
who troubled his life, would not turn out from his spirit, it 
sat in his soul like a thorn. He wanted to read, to work, 
in order to get rid of it, but impossible. Restless he stepped 
up and down. Finally he sat quiet but it was still worse. 


5 


Trembling for cold, chattering with his teeth he sat in cold 
room, all his nerves were stirred so that it went through his 
heart and caused him to forget the freezing. But as much 
as he thought about his condition, there was no escape, there 
was no way to come out from this chaos of struggle and bit¬ 
terness. 

And then came in the quiet, endless, dark and black 
night. His wife who scolded the whole day long, occupied 
with things in the house, was tired and snored right after she 
went to bed. And he lay in bed, the hands folded upon the 
breast and so he lay hour by hour. The sleep as a redeemer 
did not want to sneak into his soul. But also the horrible 
night must give way the gruesome day. 

It was a cold morning, the rain fell in streams. On this 
very day Franz had a twofold task to finish, first to help 
along those on whom judgment was passed. His own yoke 
influenced him more to care for the sorrowing and distress 
of others. He was the saving Angel of those who were dis¬ 
inherited of their fortunes. The one he helped to his rights, 
to another he gave his advice, to a third he dropped a com¬ 
forting word like dew into the sorrowing hearts. On the 
same day he defended a poor Jew, who was sentenced for 
begging, with such zealous spirit so that even the judge got 
stirred. 

In the morning while he was going home the well known 
physician, Dr. Willhelm Winter joined him. Dr. Winter 
was a young man much occupied, who was in love with Rose 
Herz over his ears. But his love suit did not find sound in 
her. Now he took the opportunity and begged the attorney 
to mediate between him and the girl, though he knew that 
Rose hung to Franz in deep admiration. At first the attor¬ 
ney became blood red, then pale like a dead, finally he gave 
the Doctor his promise to fulfill his wish. 

In the afternoon Rose entered the office of Dr. Schroe- 
der as usual. On the same day Rose was able to remove the 
dark shadow from the forehead of the attorney she kept 


6 


quiet. Finally Franz broke the silence. “Rose, today I 
will speak to you instead of Dr. Winter, he offers you heart 
and hand for life.” “No, never will I be his”, shouted 
Rose; whereby her countenance became pale. “I can not— 
I shall never be able to love him—my heart—my poor heart 
is not;— 

Dr. Shroeder’s peace of mind has vanished, the subdued 
feelings broke forth with elementary force. Now he must 
express what tormented him for a long time. The passion 
which stirred his innermost broke forth and with trembling 
lips Franz began to speak: “I know that you love me and I 
love you with every nerve of my heart and soul. I love you 
more than everything in this world; you know this. Oh why 
did I deny only my tribe and descend, denied by oath the 
faith of my parents, in order to lift my eyes on a woman, on a 
strange woman who remained strange to my heart and 
spirit!” My wife has deceived me with her love for me, I 
hate her. Why has not met me such noble co-religionist like 
you before, dear Rose? Or did I not wish to meet her? 

Rose only in your love can I find happiness in life, yet it 
is impossible. If I could be at your side even though a short 
while in love and happiness I would sacrifice my life, for 
know it, that you are my only, my first and my last love, still 
this is closed for me for ever; never dare I call you mine, 
therefore I would like to see you at the side of an honest man, 
who loves you and admires you, to be happy; only in your 
happiness could I find comfort and repose.” A sweet shiver, 
which she felt never before flew through her body. Indeed 
she presumed this confession, for his eyes have admitted it 
to her long before, but now she felt his woes unexpressably 
and sobbing aloud she sank into the loving man’s arms, who 
covered her countenance with fiery kisses. “Franz, dearest 
man, never will my holy love be profaned;” spoke Rose, 
meanwhile she freed herself from his arms, then she forsook 
the attorney in full quietness and in full sadness of her heart. 

Franz remained alone with his unhappiness; alone with 


7 


his pain. He suffered hard under the confession which 
streamed out in a moment of passion against his own will of 
his heart and slipped from his lips. 

Feish—Feish, what hast thou done, thou hast kept Rose 
embraced in your arms, hast kissed her, as wouldst thou 
wish to drink her soul and hast poisoned the soul of the 
innocent child! Why didst thou cast away yourself, fettered 
yourself to a strange woman, who never understood your 
good Jewish heart, she who followed thee cool and heartless 
because you have pulled her out from her misery. 

Was it the old, pious mother, whom Franz called her 
by her former name? No! The voice of conscience was 
awakened and would not rest any more. The night sank 
always deeper down and became darker in Franz’s soul. 
He could not abide home, he ran into the near woods and was 
met by a strong rain. Away, away out of this house of 
misery, away from a house where even the things in the 
house fortold him misfortune. 

Like a mad man he ran hither and thither in the woods 
by the showery weather. The wind whipped the rain into 
his face. The yellow clay covered his shoes so that he was 
not able to move. 

His sense vanished, he became restless. Even here in 
his loneliness he was chased and driven furiously. 

Oh, this wife—this wife, only she is his misfortune, his 
life is gone. With the richest gift of his spirit was he quali¬ 
fied, he would have been able to reach greatness, yet the fet¬ 
ters were too heavy laid on him. His wings were broken, 
the strivings for higher things have become impossible for 
him. 

Oh! this wife—this wife! How great could he have 
been if he would not known her and only for her sake has 
he cut the strongest bonds, denied the holiest. No, he was 
not able to live any longer. 

“Feish—Feish! Do you call me dear mother?” so he 
cried in the woods. “Thy mother, thou poor deceived 


8 


Feish, she has died of grief long ago, the storm is it, which 
howels so grieviously, because of this crime. 

His guilt pressed him his heart and robbed him his 
senses. 

Meanwhile he arrived near the stream. Death in the 
waves! He did not shiver for the death in the ice cold 
waves of the stream. The few seconds of physical struggle 
of death will soon be over, had he not struggle of death in 
his soul behind himself which was still worse than this? He 
knocked on his breast with repentence, prayed in silence it 
was his confession of sins that he denied his God. 

“Feish, Feish, now nothing disappoint me any more! 
Mother you call! I am coming!” 

He lifted up his hands; one cry sounded from his lips, 
a yell of wild nature and then he sank down into the floods 
to everlasting—everlasting sleep. 

Two days after, Franz Shroeder was pulled out from 
the stream and was lowered into his grave. 

The pretty widow with her mourning veil was furious, 
she desired to throw herself into the open grave. The 
voice of conscience was also awakened in her! 

In a corner of the cemetery stood a girl, no benefective 
tear alleviated her gruesome pains, now she knew, where she 
too, will once find redemption from her horrible woes. 


9 


REWARD FOR BENEFACTION 

Cast thy bread into the sea 
Some day it comes back to thee. 

Raab is a commercial city in Hungary, situated at the 
foot of the river Danube, known for its export of grain, wool 
and other merchandise. A distance of 25 miles from Raab, 
is a village in which a Jewish merchant by the name of Joseph 
Graubart lived, who had a son named Samuel, who gradu¬ 
ated from Public School, and after graduation, his father 
brought him to the city of Raab to enter the gymnasium. 

Samuel made acquaintance with a boy named Simor, a 
modest, diligent and smart boy, whose father was a poor 
shepherd and of Catholic faith. Samuel was sufficiently 
provided for, whereas his collegue, Simor lived in dire need. 
One day Samuel said to Simor: “My dear collegue, it is 
because I love you with brotherly love, that I can’t see you 
living in distress, since your parents are unable to assist you. 
Naturally, the consequences will be that you will have to 
discontinue your school studies. I receive from my father 
100 gulden per month, one quarter of which I will give you 
monthly. Now here, take this 25 guldens as the first share 
of my allowance and I will continue to share with you as 
long as we are together in this school.” 

Upon this, Simor said, “I am glad that I find in you 
such a noble benefactor. Nevertheless, there may come a 
time when I will be able to repay you all this.” 

“No,” replied Samuel, “I expect no reward, but I will 
be delighted to see you reach your goal. This will be suffi¬ 
cient reward to me.” 

And so did Samuel assist Simor for eight years long 
until both graduated from the gymnasium. Simor entered 
the Seminary College to prepare himself for the Priest¬ 
hood, but Samuel, instead of entering a law college in Vienna 
as he intended to, was taken home by his father to practice 
business, and be the sole heir to the latter’s fortune. And as 


10 


it was that Samuel had to frequently attend to some business 
transaction in that city, Raab, and as many times as he came 
to that city, his first business was to go into the college to see 
his former schoolmate, Simor. Samuel always left him 50 
or 100 gulden, and did so for five long years, until Simor 
received his diploma as Priest. 

One day when Samuel came to see Simor and gave him 
the usual assistance, the latter refused to take any and said, 
“My dear Samuel, I will take no more assistance from you, 
because I am no longer in need of it—for right after I got 
my diploma I obtained a position with good salary. I thank 
you very much, and may God bless you, my dear, dear Sam¬ 
uel. I wrote it down in my note book.” 

Each kissed the other heartily and Samuel departed. 
This meeting was their last one. Samuel, trading in every 
line of business, became a commercial expert and was well 
known in Vienna, Paris and London. He was also on the 
stock exchange and was a well-know figure. 

One day Samuel was sitting at a table in the Prater (a 
park in Vienna) together with his comrades drinking beer. 
At the next table was sitting a girl together with her father 
and brother. At the first glance she attracted the attention 
of Samuel and because of her charm he soon fell in love with 
her. 

As it was his first experience he wished to become ac¬ 
quainted with her, but had no one to introduce him. He 
contrived the following, saying to one of his comrades: 
“Please do me a favor; drop my gloves together with a thou¬ 
sand gulden bill near the girl’s feet, so that when she notices 
it she will pick it up and ask who has dropped it, and this will 
surely start a conversation.” His comrade did what was 
bidden, and indeed it worked well, for when she noticed the 
gloves and the thousand gulden bill she soon picked it up 
and asked Samuel whether it belonged to him or to his com¬ 
rades. All denied the ownership of the things. 

“Well,” said the girl, “if there is no ownership for the 


11 


money, I will ask you gentlemen to advise what should be 
done with it.” 

Samuel replied, “That the finder should keep it until 
the owner is found.” 

“Brava, brava,” all shouted and clasped their hands. 

“And if no one should demand it?” asked the girl. 

“Then keep it and devote it as a dowry to him who will 
admire and love you the most,” retorted Samuel. 

At the remark the girl blushed, her smile which was the 
sweetest of all the female sex he had ever met, penetrated 
his heart and a new affection arose in his mind. They then 
took a walk in the park and Samuel had the chance to be at 
the side of the girl. 

“May I ask your name ?” started Samuel. 

“My name is Rose,” answered the girl. 

“Do you live in this city?” inquired Samuel. 

“No, we live in Graz and my father is superintendent of 
a flour mill owned by Baron Popper. Two years ago I lost 
my mother. We came to this city looking for a suitable posi¬ 
tion as a bookkpeer, I having graduated last season from a 
business college,” remarked Rose. 

“Very well,” said Samuel. “I am in need of a skilled 
bookkeeper. Would you take the position? I will pay you 
25,000 gulden salary a year.” 

“Sir, you are joking. Why, the highest salary a book¬ 
keeper draws is 5,000 gulden and I am only a beginner. I 
can hardly understand this,” replied Rose. 

“Do you speak French?” interrupted Samuel, “and if 
so, let us speak French, so that our companions will not 
understand our conversation, for I will have to reveal some¬ 
thing to you which may surprise you.” 

“Yes, fluently,” replied Rose. 

Meanwhile their companions went ahead and Samuel 
with Rose turned in a side road into the park and sat down 
on a bench under a shadowy tree. Samuel took out of his 
pocket a package of bills, yea, thousands of gulden bills. 


12 


He started to count them. There were 99 thousand gulden 
bills. You see,” started Samuel, “the thousand gulden bill 
which you found is one of this package and I will add to your 
one bill these 99 bills and you shall possess them all if you 
include me as your possession. Rose, dear, do you know that 
this is my first love? Your charm fascinated me from the 
first moment I saw you and without you I never would be 
happy. I have chosen you to become my everlasting consort. 
I am sure if you will permit me to press my lips to yours, 
that our hearts will soon be bound together.” 

Meanwhile he pressed the package of bills into her 
hands and his lips to hers. It lasted a few moments and her 
mind was turned into a glowing love for him, when she ex¬ 
claimed, Oh, dear, I am yours and you are mine forever.” 

They hastened to find her father and brother. When 
she had found them she said to her father, “I am engaged 
to this gentleman as bookkeeper with a salary of 5000 gul¬ 
den yearly, and I must go right along with him.” 

Samuel and the girl were married as soon as they ar¬ 
rived at his estate. They lived as the happiest of couples 
could and from this matrimony sprung up three children, two 
sons and one daughter. 

And so as usually happens that after sunshine comes 
darkness, the same with human beings that after happiness 
comes sorrow. Samuel speculated too much on the stock 
exchange and lost all his fortune, so that he bacame so poor 
that many a time there was not even a crust of bread in the 
house. This misfortune drove the man to his early death. 
After his death the youngest son and daughter found em¬ 
ployment in Vienna and the oldest son remained in the vil¬ 
lage, was married and had children, but was in poor circum¬ 
stances. 

Gran is a city at the foot of the Danube and is only a few 
stations from the city of Raab we mentioned and is known 
for its remarkable seat of the highest dignitary of the Catho¬ 
lic Church. It is the residence and seat of the Primas. This 


13 


title of Primas is a special privilege to the Hungaran nation. 
The Romans allowed them to choose a head over all digni¬ 
taries, so that in his capacity he had as much power over 
Christianity in that country as the Pope in Rome and is 
called Primas, Duke, Cardinal, Bishop. The estate and 
all wealth belonging to the church of the Primas is estimated 
at six hundred million gulden. 

Simor, the colleague of Samuel, got promoted from 
common priest to be professor at the same college where he 
graduated. Afterwards he was recommended to Kaiser Fran¬ 
cis Joseph as his house teacher. From there he was pro¬ 
moted to Bishophood, then Cardinal and at last to the high¬ 
est rank and dignity as Primas. 

Six months after his inauguration at the domicile in 
Gran he settled all his affairs and took a rest. One day 
while sitting in his arm chair holding his diary in his hand 
reading of all his past life, he found a page on which was 
written all the benefaction done him by the Jewish student, 
Samuel Graubart. 

Here he stopped and said to himself, “Oh, it is about 
time I should repay all benefactions to that noble Jewish 
friend who helped me to attain all my glory.” 

He immediately wrote a letter to the priest of the vil¬ 
lage where Samuel lived requesting him to find out all details 
about a Jewish man by the name of Samuel Graubart and 
let him know. 

The priest in his reply to the Bishop stated that Samuel 
was no more among the living, but his oldest son was living 
there—married, blessed with children and in poor circum¬ 
stances. At the reply of the priest the Bishop felt very sorry. 
Not being able to repay his real benefactor he decided to 
repay it to his son and wrote another letter to the priest and 
enclosed a letter addressed to Graubart and requesting the 
priest to send Graubart to him as soon as he received the 
letter as he was anxious to see him. The priest soon sub¬ 
mitted the letter to Graubart and told him that he was re- 


14 


quested by the Bishop to tell him that his holiness wished 
to see him. 

Graubart read the letter and was shocked, thinking to 
himself why he a poor Jew was to be called to see the chief 
dignitary of the country, who was to be feared more than 
the Kaiser himself. He asked himself should he appear 
before him? 

Perhaps I am accused falsely of some crime by the 
Bishop and he may have me punished or even hanged. What 
shall I do now ? He then asked his wife her advice and she 
told him to go to the city of Raab and show this letter to 
some rich merchant and do whatever he is advised. 

Graubart took his stick and went by foot till he reached 
the city. There he went into a rich merchants place of busi¬ 
ness and asked him for advice, and the merchant told him 
that there was absolutely nothing wrong, because he had 
heard that the Bishop was loyal to all subjects alike. Grau¬ 
bart encouraged by the merchant set out for his journey 
toward Gran for he had no means to hire a wagon, so he 
went on foot, though it was about 25 miles from Raab. As 
he reached the city he went into one of the coffee houses and 
asked the people where the Bishop resided. When he got 
the information he came to the gate, asking the guards how 
and where he can see the Bishop and he was told that 
he must first go to the secretary and he will tell him where 
to go Going to the secretary he was asked what he wished. 
Graubart replied, “I wish to see the Bishop.” 

“Who, you! You, a Jew, wants to see his holiness? 
Since I am in my service I never have seen a Jew entering 
this court,” said the secretary. “But, I beg your pardon! I 
have a letter from the Bishop, in which he requests me to 
appear before him,” replied Graubard. 

Ah, you Jew, this is a lie, yea a false pretense; there is 
no truth in all this. Moreover his holiness is not in town 
so you can’t see him. Go your way that I may not see vou 
here again.” J 


15 


Graubart disappointed and abused, his heart full of 
grief, returned to that coffee house where he stopped before 
and told the people what had happened to him. But the 
people told him to go back and insist that he be introduced 
to the Bishop. He is home for they had seen the Bishop 
today riding in his stately carriage toward his residence. 

Graubart encouraged by the people went back to the 
secretary and requested once more to let him in to the Bishop. 

“You damned Jew, didn’t I tell you before that his 
Holiness is out of town? Go your way, else I will beat you 
with whips and let the dogs tear your flesh and at last I will 
crucify you on the gallows.” 

Meanwhile the night broke on; it was dark so he couldn’t 
go home. For in the night some mischief might befall him 
on the way. He decided to stay in that coffee house over 
night and in the morning he would go his way homewards. 
And so he went to the coffee house, tired, hungry and with 
a broken heart looking at the guests, some playing billiards, 
some drinking coffee, some playing cards, until at last he fell 
asleep and dreaming of the rough treatment of the evil 
secretary. 

Seven o’clock at night the Bishop was served with sup¬ 
per and the secretary wanted to play the hypocrite and flat¬ 
ter the Bishop came in at supper time to the Bishop and said: 
“What do you think, there came a Jew and persisted only 
in seeing his holiness. I of course chased him away and told 
him if he be insistent I would have him whipped with rods 
and tear his flesh by the dogs.” 

“Did he have a letter with my signature? and you 
wouldn’t let him in? Now, listen to me, go and search for 
the man and bring him tonight; know it that you will pay it 
with your life, you vile and wicked man,” shouted the Bishop. 

Terror stricken the secretary ran around the city like 
a wild man searching and asking for the man until at last 
he came to the coffee house and asked the guests whether 
they had seen such and such a man. They then pointed to 


16 


the man in the corner sitting and sleeping, and asked if he 
was the one. The secretary recognized him and politely 
shaked and begged him to come with him to the Bishop. 
Graubart just dreaming about the words of the wicked sec¬ 
retary that he would hang him on a gallow opened his eyes 
and saw the same secretary standing before him. Think¬ 
ing he had come to execute his threatenings that he would 
hang him, jumped from his chair, crying aloud, “Help me, 
gentlemen; help me! Here he is; he want to kill me.” 

But the secretary explained to the guests the situation 
and excused himself that he was guilty of the bad treatment. 
Everything would be all right because the Bishop had sent 
him to fetch the man. Consequently the people appeased 
Graubart and told him he should go without fear for every¬ 
thing would be all right. Both went and going in the secre¬ 
tary introduced him to the Bishop. Graubart kneeling be¬ 
fore the Bishop and kissed his hands. 

Take a seat, my child. What is your name, your 
rather s name; how many brothers and sisters; how many 
children and so on. The Bishop holding a book in his 
hand wrote everything down. Then he began: “My dear 
child, this is about all for tonight and the rest I will tell you 
in about six weeks from now. Now go home, God bless 
you.” 

Graubart going down the steps met the secretary com¬ 
ing through another door, who said to him, “Gentleman, 
here take this letter, the Bishop said you were to take it with 
you.” 

Graubart going into the street opened the letter and 
pulled out two bills—two one thousand gulden bills enclosed 
in a piece of paper on which was written: “Take this money 
and use it; buy yourself, your wife and children all the 
clothes you need. Rejoiced with so great a sum of money 
which he never in his life had seen before, he went into the 
coffee house. All the guests surrounded him and were eager 
to know what business he had with the Bishop. But instead 


17 


of answering he shouted, “Oh hotelman, I am hungry, give 
me something to eat and drink; give me the best meal you 
have on hand and I’ll pay whatever you will charge,” and 
he pulled from his pocket a thousand gulden bill saying: 
“Here, take out for the meals I’ll consume and change it 
and give me the rest.” 

Again the people asked what business he had transacted 
with the Bishop that he had received two thousand guldens 
“I don’t know why I got that sum of money from the Bishop 
and am not wise enough to even imagine what it should 
mean,” answered Graubart. 

In the morning he hired a carriage and went home. 
Stopping at the door of his house his wife and children were 
surprised to see their father sitting in a nobleman’s carriage. 
Kissing his wife and children, he exclaimed: “Dear wife 
and children we are happy, here is money, go and buy all 
the necessities for the house and he gave all the money to 
his wife. 

“Who gave you so much money?” asked his wife. 

“The Bishop! Why he gave it to me I don’t know,” re¬ 
plied Graubart. 

Six weeks passed and one day two stately carriages 
stopped before Graubart’s door and three officers in uniform 
came in and told him that they were sent by the Bishop to 
take him and his wife and children in the carriages to the 
city of Gran, and that he shall take no valuables nor any 
object in his house should be taken by order of the Bishop. 
And so they got into the carriages and in a few hours they 
were in Gran. There they were met by the secretary who 
led them to a four story house and told them that they should 
inhabit this house because it was theirs. 

The house was provided with furniture, brought di¬ 
rectly from Vienna and was provided with carpets from top 
to bottom. After three days the secretary came to Grau¬ 
bart and told him that the Bishop wanted him with his fam¬ 
ily to appear before him. And so they went to the Bishop 
and were introduced by the secretary. 


18 


“Take your seats my children,” began the Bishop. 

Now I will tell you the meaning of all this,” holding a book 
in his hand and saying further: “In 1860 I and your father 
attended the Gymnazium in Raab, and your father assisted 
me with money for 13 long years until I had reached my 
goal and he alone is responsible for all my glory, so I decided 
to repay his benefactions to me, but God took him away in 
his prime of years and I am unable to repay it to him. I 
decided to repay it to one of his children and as you are the 
oldest one I will repay it to you. Therefore, know it, that the 
property in which you live with all its equipments is trans¬ 
ferred in your name and you will get ten thousands guldens 
yearly for your sustenence, but if you don’t wish to be idle, 
as you are a young man yet, I will appoint you to be superin¬ 
tendent over my private estate and you may manage it so that 
you should draw in full for your benefit and you may assist 
all your relatives, but manage that I should not suffer any 
shortage. Therefore choose one of the two.” 

Graubart chose to be superintendent. When Grau- 
bart took charge over the management of the estate, he soon 
made improvements in all branches, in the fields, fattening of 
oxen and swine; improvements in all kinds of implements 
and utilities, constructions of all kinds of modern styles, also 
in buying and selling, so that at the new crop it proved to be 
a surplus against the years before with a hundred thousand 
guldens Thus the Bishop profited right the first year 100,- 
000 guldens and Graubart himself drew a salary which 
amounted nearly to as much. 

A few years after Graubart had become a millionaire 
and was well known on all the stock exchanges in Budapest 
Vienna, Pans and London. F ’ 


the tid^of Baix)n^ a ^ Ser ^ ranC ^ S J ose P^ conferred upon him 

The writer of this story knew in person the Bishop and 
Graubart for he lived at that time in the neighborhood of 
the cities mentioned m the story. 


19 


THE GOLDSMITH 

To be expelled, a new home to find, 

To be afflicted, and become blind; 

Is worse than death, is worse than all; 

Yet hopes uphold and do recall, 

That days of comfort are at hand, 

When revenge follows the vile brigand. 

In a comfortable armchair is sitting an old man. At 
his feet, on a footstool sits a girl of about eight years of 
age, with black curly hair. The old man has just finished 
a long story which he related to the little girl, and leaning 
his tired, gray head which was covered with a black velvet 
cap on the bolster of the high armchair. Little Esther was 
not tired of listening. 

“Tell me one more story, dear grandpa!” she begged, 
“you know how to tell nice stories. I like to hear you very 
much.” 

“Let me rest for a while, dear child, I am tired,” said 
the grandfather. 

The little girl then ceased to beg and looked upon her 
grandfather anxiously as if she would read from his features 
the cause of his unusual weariness. 

Vain trouble! Even for an experienced man who 
knows human nature it would be hard to recognize from 
the features of the gray hoary Ephraim his disposition of 
mind, how could it have been easy for little Esther? The 
reflection of the soul, the eyes extinct, dim and without splen¬ 
dor rising on high out of the deep eyeholes opposite the rays 
of the light and becoming insensible, simultaneously the face 
of the unfortunate expressing the stamp of an unmoving stiff¬ 
ness. 

Ephraim Ungar, the Goldsmith, had become blind a 
few years ago, and besides this condemned to an idle and 
inactive life. As his daughter, Meriam, who supported him 
at present by making artful gold embroidery, was obliged to 


20 


leave him alone at home, so little Esther, his grandchild, an 
orphan, was the only one who kept company to the blind 
grandfather. Of course in this case he alone was obliged to 
bear the burden of amusing the child, whilst he tried to re¬ 
member all kinds of tales which he ever heard and read in 
his youth, and tried to invent many new ones, in order to 
gratify the child’s desire. During the time he repeated those 
tales again and again, so that the prudent child knew those 
tales nearly by heart. Ephraim was sitting leaning back, 
touching with his tender white hand, his extinct eyes, because 
of the dazzling sun rays which caused him pain instead of 
granting him the benefaction of light; he perceived a loud 
knocking on the locked door. 

“Grandpa, the Muhme (Aunt) is coming,” shouted the 
little girl with joy. Oh, she may bring me some pretty things, 
may she not?” “This is not Aunt Meriam. This is not the 
manner of her knocking, it is a stranger who desires to come 
in. Come, dear Esther, I will lift you up to the window, 
and you see who it is,” said the old man. 

As Esther looked out of the window, she said: “Oh, 
grandpa, two soldiers are standing outside and desire to 
come in.” At the word soldiers, the old man trembled, 
making means to retreat in the room without opening the 
door. The sound of a voice was heard outside, shouting: 
“Open the door, we are coming in the name of the law.” 
This caused the lingering ones to push back the rail and 
grant the soldiers to enter. 

Without greeting they came in; without any excuse the 
oldest of the soldiers spoke to the gray hoary man. “Does 
Ephraim the Jew, named Ungar, the goldsmith live here?” 

“I am the one” replied Ephraim with quietness, so that 
it impressed the soldiers so much, that they spoke in a much 
milder tone than they did before. 

“If you are the same, we deliver you a writ from the 
court office. Read it and give us a confirmation of its accept¬ 
ance, and that you understand the contents of same.” 


21 


“Alas, to do both are impossible for me, for as you see 
gentlemen, I am bereft of my sight, so that I am neither able 
to read nor to sign my name. But perhaps you know the 
contents of the document, be so kind and tell me. My little 
grandchild will then sign my name, she is able to write. 
Won’t you, my little Esther,” said the old man smiling, 
while he tenderly stroked the curly hair of the anxious child 
clinging to him. 

“But gentlemen I suppose you are tired, hungry and 
thirsty. Take place at my table and Esther will set before 
you bread and wine. 

Alas, I have no other refreshment in my house, though 
no man forsook Ephraim Ungar’s house unrefreshed.” 

The soldiers looked with compassion upon the gray 
hoary man, admiring his hospitality which is only customary 
in the orient, and caused to stir the hearts of those rough 
warriors, for they never knew before that there existed such 
hospitable manners, and therefore just as they were impolite 
when they entered the house, so they behaved friendly now. 

None of the soldiers were able to read the document to 
tell the old man the Job’s message contained therein. The 
soldiers winked to each other, resolving to leave the docu¬ 
ment with the old man and to call for it some day after. 
The soldiers then thanked the old man heartily for his 
hospitable treatment and departed with the assurance to 
come again, and be a help to him with adivce and deeds. 

As the soldiers departed Ephraim said to his grandchild: 

“Try to read for me the contents of this document, you 
need not read it all, only the most important things.” 

But the girl wasn’t able to read, though she learned to 
read and write, yet she was not able to decipher the current 
jewish writing. To her it was illegible hieroglyphs. Ephraim 
was obliged to have patience till his daughter would return 
from her business on which she had gone. 

The old man did not wait long, for he heard a knocking 


22 


on the door. “Go open, Esther, it is the Muhme (aunt) 
Meriam.” 

Meriam the young girl came in, blooming like a rose 
and beaming for joy, hastened to her father, seized his hand 
and kissed it. 

“I bring good tidings, papa, the Turkish lady to whom 
I was recommended, paid me for the gold cap which I have 
knitted for her, three ducats, and told me to come again 
tomorrow, in order to make the design for an embroidered 
velvet jacket, and will then inform me when I will have to 
finish same. She also promised to furnish me work all the 
time. Now we are protected from distress. How happy I 
feel now!” 

“My poor child!” sighed Ephraim. “You deserve better 
luck than that hard work of embroidery where you spoil 
your eyes, in order to support your old idle father and the 
child, who needs our help, for she has nobody else to take 
care of her. Therefore it seems to me that there is 
preserved for you a more prosperous and happier life in the 
near future.” 

“What do you mean by prosperity, father?” Do you 
mean to say, that this is luck and prosperity, if man revels in 
superfluity, in walking proudly in rich clothes, and if man is 
seeking to pass the tediousness of the day in rushing for 
pleasures? No, father, not in such manner of life lies the 
real happiness. I feel happy in my own way; happy if I 
fulfill my duties through conscience, happy by steady turn 
with you, this which built up my spirit, and opened for me the 
gate of education, in as much that I shall not remain 
ignorant, but shall be like most of the girls of my faith. 
When I shall have finished my work and cover the necessities 
of life in managing of our household, with my earnings, and 
sit at your feet, in order to read to you out of some good 
books and converse with you all about what we have read; 
when you will try to tell from memory some chapters from 
the Holy Bible and explain it to me, or when I will accomp- 


23 


any you to some parks in the city, then I shall feel happy, 
then I shall never change with one of those happy ladies. 
And my happiness shall thus come through the pious Turkish 
lady who takes care of all my sustenance. This is what I 
call happiness and this is what you, dear father, desirest to 
wish me.” 

Now Meriam turned to the child: “Has anybody been 
here while I was absent?” she asked. 

“Yes, dear aunt, two soldiers were here, they brought a 
letter for grandfather, there it lies on the chest.” 

The word soldiers made such fierce impression upon the 
young girl just as it had made upon her father. 

Evidently Meriam knew that soldiers seldom bring 
good tidings when they come into a jewish house. 

Indeed she guessed rightly, for she scarcely cast a glance 
upon the document, considering the suffering and condition 
of her blind father, expelled a terrible cry. 

“Out, out, all is lost,” so she wailed. 

“What does this document contain, my child? Per¬ 
haps it is not as bad*as it seems to you at the first moment,” 
said the old man. 

“Oh, it is terrible, my father! all our future plans are 
destroyed our hopes for a quiet life in retirement has proved 
fallacious. This document is our ruin.” 

“But what does it contain?” urged Ephraim. 

“Oh papa, our banishment from the city and country, 
within eight days counted from yesterday on, we are to leave 
the Capitol and return to our native country, Hungary. As 
if it would be a home for us; the country which we left in full 
hopes of a happier future, and now must go back—back as 
exiled beggers. Oh, such disgrace !” said Meriam. 

The peaceful rest which she enjoyed for a while was 
soon interrupted when she read the decree of her father’s 
banishment, a sudden change, a desperate disposition came 
upon her, and she burst into a flood of tears, which at last 
brought her relief. Now the world experienced father who 


24 


had gone through many trials and adventures undertook the 
role of consolation. 

“Think of the pious Naomi, my child, who in full pos¬ 
session of riches and respect forsook her native city Bethle¬ 
hem, and returned as a poor widow there again. My fate 
is equal to hers. I was provided with plenty of means, 
eager for work and strong. I departed from my native 
country and as a blind begger I am compelled to return. 
And just as Naomi found in Ruth her daughter-in-law a 
workative help, so I have in you—you my dear child at my 
side, who never—never will forsake me, not even in distress; 
and not even then, when the wanderstaff, which I shall be 
compelled to seize should become a beggerstaff.” 

“Never and never, my dear father! Pardon, that I 
caused you grief throught my impetuous outbreaking of pain, 
it should not happen again. I will take upon me everything 
which God shall destine upon us without grumbling.” 

“You shall do it too!” said the old man. “Now again 
I recognize in you my child, my strong and courageous 
Meriam. Now calm yourself, girl, put me in my bed and 
you try to sleep, too. Perhaps there may come some saving 
or at least a consolating thought during the night.” 

Meriam lead her father into his bedroom and little 
Esther, who in spite of not possessing the right understand¬ 
ing of the scene which had taken place, yet was also brought 
to bed quite stirred, but Meriam herself was not able to 
sleep, she then wrapped herself in a dark cloak and put its 
capuce upon her head so that no one would recognize her, 
and so she sneaked unperceived into the 'garden which 
bordered their house. There she took from her pocket a key 
and opened the wicket which was half hidden under one of 
a tight foliage, and walked a few steps in the garden, a 
young man likewise wrapped in a dark cloak, entered silently 
into the garden, and followed her seizing the hand of the 
young girl, and pressed it to his lips. 

“Thousands of thanks for your kindness, Meriam” 


25 


began the young man. “I have to tell you some important 
things and therefore I beg for a secret rendezvous.” 

“Our first rendezvous shall also be the last one,” replied 
Meriam. “We are obliged to forsake Wiene in a few days. 
Today the decree of banishment came.” 

“What? This, too!” shouted the young man with a 
trembling voice. “I would never think of it.” 

“What do you wish to tell me, Ferenz; make it short 
and quick, for I dare not stay outside long, for if my father 
should miss me, or some one of the people should meet me?” 
said Meriam. 

“Don’t shorten the happy minutes if it be a moment 
longer I believe that I am yours, that you love me as dearly, 
as I love you, pretty virgin.” 

“I shall not suffer to hear you saying such words, for 1 
shall never be yours. It is true, you are the savior of my 
father and as such I do esteem you highly, and as such I 
permitted you to visit our house, no matter what the world 
may say. But otherwise as for your being my admirer I 
never gave you my permission and never thought of it.” 

“Yes, the world, my Meriam—the world has no clear 
understanding as to our pure unprofaned relation. They 
see in the picture everything reflecting their own corruption. 
And even this I have to tell you and remind you to be very 
cautious. They are looking for us; they pursue us,” said 
Ferenz. 

“Who, and for what purpose?” asked Meriam. 

“This is what I am asking myself, and after a long 
muse I have come upon the supposition that it is or they are 
the beadles of the chastity commission who are watching 
me,” said the young man. “What, does this institution exist 
yet? I was of the opinion, that since the death of the 
gracious queen it had been abolished.” 

You are mistaken there Meriam. The Kaiser is just 
about to bring light in that mysterious darkness, in which this 
chastity commission is wrapping itself. But this inhumane 


26 


law is equal to the Hydra, when one believes that its head 
was beaten off, it elevates itself most and in a stronger 
measure, but Kaiser Joseph will tread down even this ser¬ 
pent, just as he destroyed so many others. At present this 
commission rules secretly and is mighty all over the country, 
and it is said that they are very careful. They do not mean 
wrong, still in many cases they act cruelly, thus I will keep 
away from your house for a few days in order to avert the 
pursuers.” 

“We must go away from here soon anyway,” said 
Meriam. 

“I am going with you wherever you go, sweetheart!” 

“And my reputation? which would be destroyed. This 
you don’t take into consideration, Ferenz! My father 
brought you into our house with a pretence of being his 
savor and to be the instructor of little Esther, and so you 
was allowed to visit a Jewish family undisputed. What 
pretence would you have to an immigration?” 

“We will be able to find this. We have eight days time 
yet, and I am not afraid about my support in the future. 
My paint brush will support me wherever I may open tent.” 

“No, no, remain here, Ferenz, and God shall protect 
you. Don’t I bear my own fate hard enough, why should I 
impose upon me a struggle in as much as I perhaps could 
succumb? No, separate your serene, sunny future from our 
charged and sorrowful curse.” 

“Forsake you, Meriam, you gracious human being 
whose charm would draw the eyes of so many dissolute fel¬ 
lows upon yourself, how could I do this? If you don’t allow 
me to travel with you, I shall follow you at a distance, in 
order to protect you. When shall we see each other again, 
and at this place, for I would not venture to go frankly into 
your house any more.” 

“Then it is better that you omit it. I granted you one 
secret meeting, but no more. Before we go away from 


27 


Wiene I shall send to you the usual messenger in order that 
we may take farewell.” 

Very well, I shall expect it. God be with you Meriam, 
farewell.” 

So both separated though the inclination of their hearts 
remained bound to each other, yet the power of circum¬ 
stances and the undelayed consequences separated them, they 
were compelled to leave each other. 

The hour at which Meriam ought to make her visit to 
the rich Turkish woman had come, but Meriam made no 
preparation to go out. Under these circumstances she did 
not care much to be there at the right time, for inasmuch 
as she could not accept the promised work any more at which 
she rejoiced yesterday. Her visit to the lady would only be 
for the purpose of refusing the work, so she took her time, 
and in the meantime she could write in a letter everything 
which she intended to tell personally. In the first place her 
task now was to sell all the furniture and house vessels, 
things which she would not be able to take with her on the 
journey, and prepare for travel in general. On the same 
day she remained home in order to expect the arrival of the 
soldiers who were to call for the ratification of the delivered 
document. It seemed to her to be cowardly for her to go 
away and leave her blind father and the young child into 
the hands, perhaps of rough fellows. Besides this, the 
father after a sleepless night had sunk into a deep slumber, 
so she did not wish to awake him. 

Early in the morning the soldiers came and were led 
into their room by the trembling girl. The soldiers were 
greatly surprised at the gentle appearance of Meriam who 
came to meet them. They had never seen such a beautiful 
Jewess, and her reverential greeting sounded as though they 
stood opposite a princess. But the thing which struck and 
impressed them most was the use of the real German 
language, which this jewish girl mastered, and distinguished 


28 


herself from those who spoke the jargon Jewish, and also 
from the dialect which was spoken in Wiene. 

“This jewish girl,” the soldiers said to each other, must 
have learned a great deal, of which many citizens, yea even 
officers daughters could envy her. At the same time her 
beauty and charm attracted their attention so much that they 
had to subdue the power of their imagination. 

Meriam delivered the ratification to the soldiers with 
friendly thanks for their trouble, whilst she simultaneously 
pressed a goldpiece into their hands. 

“Gentlemen, accept my thanks for the demonstrated 
indulgence to my father and for your trouble,” said Meriam. 

One of the soldiers replied: We are only sorry that we 
had to be the deliverer of such a bad notice. We did not 
even have the courage to grieve the old man, and for this 
reason we left it here for a few days.” 

“This is very nice of you. God will reward you for 
your good action,” said Meriam. 

The youngest one of the soldiers, who in the meantime 
had not taken his eyes off from the pretty figure of the 
jewish girl, said: “While I observe this virgin how beauti¬ 
ful she is and especially how she is able to speak well, I came 
upon an idea, how it is possible to help her.” 

But the oldest one of the soldiers shook his head, not 
believing it, and said: “This is impossible, for as far as I 
know, no banishment of Jews has taken place lately, so I 
presume and evidently believe that some high personality 
of great influence has his hand in this game, and is urging her 
removal. Consequently nothing can be done against it.” 

“But there is in Viene a still mightier person, who could 
help the Kaiser!” said the younger soldier. 

“Comrade,” said the other, “this is not from your own 
dummy head. God or the devil put it into your mind. God 
be with us!” At these words he made a cross on his head. 

Meriam took this thought into her mind, still she 


29 


doubted, saying: “What do those high people care for the 
ill fate of a poor jewish family?” 

“Oh pretty virgin, you have no knowledge of the quali¬ 
ties of the Kaiser. He cares even for the lowest of his sub¬ 
jects. He is like a father to everyone. Every subject is 
permitted an audience, and no one forsakes his office without 
granting him audience and consolation.” replied the younger 
soldier. 

“Even Jews are allowed an audience?” asked Meriam. 

“Jews or Christians, are alike to him. Even priests 
are frequent there. They even spread the rumor, that he is 
the Antychrist in person, because he does not tolerate the 
forced baptising of the Jews. The good Emperor says: 
“I do not care for baptised Christians, but I wish to have 
good Christians. He goes to mass daily, and prays and con¬ 
fesses just as one of us. But as to real humanity and justice 
everybody is alike to him, peasant or nobleman. Everybody 
gets justice from him.” 

After this the soldiers instructed her how to behave and 
the manner of appearence at audience. She should prepare 
a petition in which she shall write down all her desires, and 
if questioned by the Kaiser, all her answers must be short 
and to the point. “It would be of great advantage,” said 
the soldiers. “If you could be accompanied by your blind 
father, in order to make an impression on the cordial 
Emperor, whereby he would consent to everything.” 

But Meriam would not like to trouble her blind father 
with such a task, for it would effect him. Furthermore, it 
was her desire to stir the feelings of the Emperor through 
righteousness so she would write down all the facts in that 
petition. 

After the soldiers had departed, Meriam remained 
alone and fell into a deep meditation. She began to think 
about that mysterious man which the soldiers mentioned, 
who he could be, and aspires to cause her downfall, and 
she came upon the idea, that it must be the same one who 


30 


pursued the steps of her friend Ferenz. She then brought 
her adventure in connection with the one of her friends that 
it must be the same man who pursued her on one occasion 
when she went out to bring home work, she noticed that a 
gentleman seeming to belong to some high rank met her and 
molested her with a love suit. In a state of anguish she was 
not able to free herself from the man untill she called a car¬ 
riage driver, stepped quickly into the carriage and rode 
home. But the man who followed her could by no means 
overtake her, so he must have spied the place where she 
lived and pursued her friend Ferenz, and also caused the 
banishment of her father as an act of vengeance. This sup¬ 
position made her heart faint and she could by no means 
come to a conclusion regarding the planned audience. How 
would it be, she thought to herself, if that man is there in 
the court, and he causes that audience should be refused to 
her, or so that she comes right along into the claws of the 
seducer? But time is precious, she can’t loose it. Thus 
of two evils the smallest one must be chosen, therefore she 
followed the advice of the soldiers, because according to 
their opinion they must have understood the matter. 

Her father slept while she was speaking with the 
soldiers. Meriam avoided interrupting his sleep, the only 
happy hours in the life of the unhappy father. She didn’t 
even tell him when he awoke of her intentions, in order that 
he should not make false conceptions of hopes, which would 
afterward turn out deceitful and would only increase his 
pains. She always used to treat her father in the same man- 
her, she did not suffer him to know of any troublesome things 
which would cause him grief. 

During the sleepless night which followed this eventful 
day, Meriam had sought to fix her thoughts to be prepared 
for that decisive hour. She had also composed the petition 
the evening before, and wrote it as nice and clean as she 
could. Thus she was careful in choosing the words—words 
at which the heart of the Kaiser should be stirred. 


31 


“Short and valid!” the good soldiers in whose head the 
idea of this audience was conceived, advised her to do. It is 
easy to say a thing, but hard to carry out. Where should 
she begin, where finish? Whom should she accuse, if not the 
law—the law which grants a pretence to such arbitrariness? 
In the meantime she described it as a destiny of God. She 
remembered the two words, which her father said to her 
once, that the Majesty of a noble monarch is the splendor 
of the excellency of God. Why tremble and fear thus? 
Yea, in God’s grace she has great confidence. Now brave 
and courageous she turned to her creator with her daily 
prayers, in unsearched, unartificial words she told her 
request before Him, prayed to grant her wishes of her heart. 
Now why should she tremble before an earthly king, especi¬ 
ally if he is known as a kind and graceful person? She arose 
early in the morning, prepared everything for her father and 
the child, and told them that she had to take an immediate 
walk to one of the suburbs, so that she will be away from 
the house for a long time. She dressed herself in plain attire 
thought suitable for such an important errand, and left the 
house with palpitation of the heart. 

As Meriam came into the royal court she was lead by 
one of the officers to that part of the large building where the 
Controll Office was in which the common audience was 
given. 

Besides her there were standing persons of high rank 
and such who were equal to her, holding their petitions in 
their hands, expecting the arrival of the Kaiser. 

One could see a variegated company gathered together 
expecting the mercy of the Emperor. All kinds of men and 
women of every rank were represented there, the powdered 
lady in her stiff corset was obliged to suffer a common peasant 
woman standing near her, as well as the noble man and the 
haughty knight had to suffer the poor working man standing 
near him. No precedence ruled here, here they all ap¬ 
peared as petitioners, and all were subjects of this mighty 


32 


ruler, rich and poor alike. Everyone looked toward the 
door expecting the Kaiser to enter. 

Finally the folding door was opened and Kaiser Joseph 
the Second appeared, at his side a gentleman, whom Mer- 
iam considered to be a very mighty gentleman on account 
of his rich court attire, but at the same time, to her great 
terror, she recognized in him the same fellow who pursued 
her in the street with his immoral proposals, and the one 
whom she believed to be the originator of all her sufferings. 

All the courage of the poor Jewish girl vanished, she 
thought her errand all in vain and her only desire now was 
to forsake the royal court safely without danger. Her body 
weakened from anxiety and a sleepless watchful night, a chill 
ran through her; she was unable to stand upon her feet 
strengthless she broke down before the feet of the Emperor. 

As the Kaiser saw her prostrated he believed, that the 
young petitioner desired to make a respectful kneefall be¬ 
fore him, and this was the very thing which he did not like 
very much, and he called to her: “Arise, my child, men kneel 
before God but not before human beings.” 

The friendly words of the Kaiser gave her strength to 
stand up, but she was not able to speak. All apprehensive 
words which she desired to direct to his Majesty vanished 
from her memory, and only her hands reached the petition 
to the Kaiser. 

The wise Monarch could read from her features and 
her eyes that the matter written in the petition must be a just 
one. He turned to her friendly, while the accompanying 
chamberlain of the Kaiser grasped the petition to accept it 
according to the custom of his position. 

Now Meriam gathered together all her courage and 
said: “This petition may be delivered only into the hands of 
my excellent Monarch of whom the welfare of my gray 
hoary blind father depends to be granted.” 

The charming beauty of the Jewish girl attracted the 
attention of the Kaiser, as did also her perfect expression of 


33 


the German language, so that he became much interested in 
her. 

Kaiser Joseph, great as a philanthropist also liked to 
study human nature. He observed the evil looks which his 
chamberlain cast upon the pretty petitioner, and the cool 
and proud looks which she cast upon the old gentleman in 
return, caused the Kaiser to take the document into his hand, 
and according to his custom asked her in a friendly manner 
what she desired, and then he said: 

“Go home my child! I shall read and prove your 
petition, and if it is not contrary to justice, your desires shall 
be granted.” 

The royal palace which Meriam entered before with 
anguish, she now left with joy and gladness, and hastened 
home on account of her father, that he would not think that 
some mischief had befallen her. She did not even wish to 
tell him where she had been for such a long time, for the 
success of her undertaking was by no means assured yet. 

Meanwhile a rough court officer came and brought the 
message for Meriam that she was to appear at the royal 
palace on the next day at ten o’clock in the morning, in order 
that the rescript of her petition shall be delivered to her. 

The next day Meriam left the house and tried to be at 
the royal court at the appointed time. When she arrived 
there she was told that his Majesty had taken a ride, and 
by his distinct order she may expect him in this room after 
his return. 

A short time after Meriam departed from home with 
the blessings of her father, two gentlemen wrapped in their 
cloaks asked to be let into the house of Ephraim the Gold¬ 
smith. And when they entered the room, they introduced 
themselves as two noble farmers from the province, and 
seemed to be quite astonished that the goldsmith was blind. 
They came to the capitol on purpose to get their old fash¬ 
ioned family ornament enchased anew. Some one recom- 


34 


mended to them Ephraim Ungar the Jew and described him 
as a great master who is able to do such art work. 

“Who recommended you to me, excellent gentlemen?” 
asked Ephraim. “It is true I have practiced my art in 
Wiene but only for a short time, and I am not well known!” 

A friend of ours, who lived in Presburg Hungary, for 
many years and knew you there”, replied one of the gentle¬ 
men. 

“Yes; this is indeed very possible, for there in Presburg 
they knew me well as the master Ephraim. I have worked 
there for great people, and they liked me there very much. 
I was also highly esteemed there, for they entrusted me with 
an honorable position having been president of the pious 
brotherhood for many years. But I was persuaded by a 
certain person to come to Wiene, and here I met the mis¬ 
fortune of becoming blind. Now I am not able to work any 
more, and am compelled to be supported by my only child 
who is working very hard,” said the old man. 

“How did you lose your eyesight?” asked one of the 
strangers. 

The sound of sincere participation by the one who spoke 
these words; Ephraim did not think that this was from vain 
desire or evil cunning, which caused their question. 

Blind people used to have the right mind for it. Also 
their hearts do not become corrupted through hypocritic out¬ 
siders like the hearts of people who see, therefore they are 
able to judge the minds from the sound of the speaker. 
Therefore the blind man answered and said: “Excellent 
gentlemen, this is a long sad story, and I would not wish to 
try your patience by listening to it. 

The youngest one of the gentlemen looked about in 
the room and noticed that in spite of its cleanliness and 
order, yet no ornament was to be seen in the house, and he 
said: “Have you saved nothing of your former fortune, 
master Ephraim?” 

“Nothing, except my honest name”, replied Ephraim. 


35 


“This is indeed a great deal, but not much to live on. 
Thus your only son supports you?” asked the gentleman. 

“Your grace, but I have no son any more. I have but 
an only daughter, who earns by making art embroidery 
work, which she once learned for her own pleasure, and is 
supporting herself, me and the child, whose father was my 
son, and who lost his life on the same day, when I lost the 
sight of my eyes”, said the old man. 

While the blind man related these words, tears rolled 
from the blue eyes of the younger gentleman, and he subdued 
his voice, so that he gave hints to his comrade that he should 
continue the conversation. 

The other gentleman, obeying the hints of the first one, 
continued saying: “You would do us a great favor, if you 
would tell us how all this happened. We take much interest 
in your fate, and we would gladly do you any favor which 
would be in our power.” 

Ephraim shook his gray head sorrowfully, saying: 
“There is no help for me, for in a few days I must seize my 
wanderstaff and forsake this city with my daughter and 
grandchild, and go, as an unprotected beggar, to my native 
place, for we are banished.” 

The two gentlemen looked at each other and nodded, 
and the oldest one continued, saying: “We expect you will 
tell us more, master, for it is possible that we may find some 
points in your story, which we may be able to operate so that 
your banishment shall be dismissed, for we are not without 
influence at the royal court.” 

These words sounded in the ears of the blind man like 
a half promise, so that he was more confidential to them 
and caused him to continue: “Dear gentlemen! It.was an ex¬ 
ceptional case which caused me to forsake my native country 
—the beautiful Hungary, and sojourn here in this capital. 
I had an only son, the father of this child. He met the ill 
fate that his beloved wife paid with her life at the birth of 
this girl. Then I had compassion for my son, because he 


36 


was all alone, and in order that he should not become des¬ 
perate, I desired to comfort him and be constantly at his 
side. I decided to live with him and so I with my daughter 
and grandchild went to live with him, and there we always 
tried to console him about his great loss. At that time my 
son was directorial factor to a rich magnate, whose name I 
do not wish to reveal, excellent gentlemen, for it is a strange 
secret. Thus as factor my son enjoyed the full confidence of 
the Earl; he took care of the purchase and sale of all cattle, 
of all cultural products, and he mediated all money matters 
of the noble gentleman. Through my son, I too got ac¬ 
quainted with the Earl, and he entrusted me with all the 
jewelrv work which he had to be fixed. Indeed I could only 
be proud of such an employer. The Earl had an only son, 
whom he once disowned on account of his frivolous conduct 
and tricks, so that the son left his father’s house and disap¬ 
peared and to this day no clue to his whereabouts has been 
found. But I and my son persuaded the father to forgive 
his son and be reconciled to him, and announce in all the 
newspapers that he grants him his full pardon, if he will 
only return to his father’s house. Whether this announce¬ 
ment did not reach the young Earl or oh account of his 
proudness he did not wish to return, we do not know, anyway 
all emissions which were sent out returned without any 
result, without finding the young Earl. And so it came to 
pass, about five years ago the magnate ordered my son to 
come to him and made him the offer to move with him to 
Wiene, inasmuch as he must make all efforts to find his only 
son and heir again. It is more possible to undertake this 
from the capitol, for it is the center of all the empires. The 
Earl assured my son that he would protect him if he went 
with him and would take care of his business too. My son 
Ruben hesitated for a time, but later on he consented, and 
complied with his request, and of course I went with him. 
And so it happened when we came here that we met our ill 
fate. Here in Wiene is destined a decree upon Jews that 


37 


they must carry on their back a yellow patch as a sign of 
disgrace. I and my son were not used to it for we enjoyed 
the protection of the Earl and so we were an exception. So 
it happened one day that I went out of the house to take a 
walk in the street, of course having no patch on my back. 
Some gangsters recognized me as being a Jew, and they 
started to shout, calling, “hep! hep!” at me. In a moment 
I was surrounded by a crowd of people, calling with threats: 
“Where is your patch, you Jew?” Now my son looked 
out of the window and saw what had befallen me, he hast¬ 
ened to come down to save me, but scarcely had he tried to do 
so, when a pavement stone was thrown upon his head, so 
that he fell upon the ground in a stream of blood. Desper¬ 
ately I bent myself over his body, but there came strokes of 
a stick upon my head from all sides of that raged people and 
I fell fainting to the ground. After I regained conscious¬ 
ness I found myself in a strange room: I felt it, but could 
not see it. Many weeks passed by since the event of that 
terrible day. During this time I suffered a severe inflamma¬ 
tion of the brain so that its consequence was that I had be¬ 
come blind. Oh, I would rather remain dead on that place, 
or would rather have died while I was sick, than to awake 
or recover to a life without light!” 

“And your son?” the younger one of the gentlemen in¬ 
terrupted him. 

“My son was carried away from the place dead, and 
buried in all quietness, while I waivered between life and 
death. Yes, even I would not have escaped death from that 
enraged people if a noble youth who chanced to pass by this 
way, had not pulled me out from their hands so that he 
himself was placed in a very dangerous position. Still he 
got through safely and brought me into his house. This 
young man, an artist, brought the best physicians who treated 
me and only saved my life, but were not able to save my 
eyesight. And so I came out into life again but a blind and 
broken man.” 


38 


Ephraim being exhausted, his visitors gave him time to 
collect himself for awhile. Then the youngest one of the 
gentlemen began: “And where did you lose your posses¬ 
sion, master?” 

“Oh, I was not rich when I came to Wiene, but as long 
as I was able to work I earned sufficient to cover my ex- 
pences, sometimes more, and sometimes less, for the Earl 
at whose inducement we left our country, provided me not 
only with his own work, but also recommended me to all his 
friends, Hungarian officers living in Wiene, who gave me 
plenty of work. And so I was protected from distress and 
would have been protected even then, when the misfortune 
came to my benefactor, the Earl, if I had not become blind, 
I would have been able to work!” 

“Pardon Master! You have just spoken about a mis¬ 
fortune which had befallen your benefactor. Would you 
kindly tell us all about it?” 

“Why not? Now, while I was confined to my sick bed 
in the house of the painter, something terrible happened. 
My benefactor, the Earl, played horse races and lost all his 
fortune and in a spell of madness he shot himself. Oh, if 
my son had been alive it would never have gone so far with 
the good gentleman, for he understood how to master the 
uphappy passions of his benefactor, wherefore the Earl rec¬ 
ognized his good intentions and followed him in most cases. 
And so after this event, I was helpless with my two children. 

At first we lived on my savings, and when this was gone 
we started to sell our ornaments, and when this was gone 
we sold our house vessels, and this gone, my Meriam started 
to think of some occupation. My savor Ferrenz the painter 
offered us his help, but my Meriam declined it and tried to 
find embroidery work, and so she supports us. But it did 
not last long, for as we were about to improve our condition, 
the decree of our banishment came, we shall be driven out 
and wander far away in an unknown future.” 

The voice of the gray hoary man was trembling on ac- 


39 


count of his inner excitement and the long withheld pains 
found a pathway for vehement sobs. 

Both gentlemen endeavored to appease him, in spite 
of the fact that they themselves were touched by the sad 
story and were trying to subdue their own tears. 

“Do not get desperate, old man, there will, and must 
be ways by which you can prevent the hard lot of emigration. 
It shall be our task to put us in the right way for it. But 
pardon for troubling you with our questions! Please tell 
us the magnate whose name you did not wish to reveal, has 
he found his son?” 

Ephraim shook his head sadly and replied: “No, he 
did not succeed in finding him, and there was no longer time 
to search for him further, for the Earl committed suicide, 
and my son is dead. If my son had been alive he would 
have stirred heaven and earth to find the son of his master. 
But now he is dead, and I am as well as dead, for what is a 
blind man able to do ? A blind man is not even able to pro¬ 
tect himself!” 

A few minutes after this conversation another event 
took place, a thing which should ratify the words of the old 
man. There was a vehement knocking on the door. The 
first knocking was overheard by those who were in deep con¬ 
versation. Then they heard a rough calling: “Open, or we 
break the door!” This shouting stirred them all. Little 
Esther ran to her grandfather, and one of the gentlemen 
went and pushed back the bolt. 

Meanwhile the younger gentleman has sneaked into the 
next room, pulling little Esther with him, whispered some 
words to the frightened grayhoary telling him: “Be not 
afraid old man, no harm will be done to you, I am here, I will 
protect you!” And then he quietly closed the door behind 
them. . 

An odd group entered the room, and a man in official 
uniform, shining stars and orders on his breast, being the 
head of this group and was follwed by several policemen, 


40 


having in their midst a young man in chains, who made des¬ 
perate attempts to escape, and whom they watched carefully. 
This young man was Ferrenz, the painter. 

The gentleman who opened the door for the group 
questioned the officer : “Who gave you the permission to 
enter this house by force?” 

The officer measured the questioner from head to toe 
with mocking looks, replying: “I need not give any account 
not even to the first and best one. I am a royal commissary 
and am looking for the Jew Ephraim Ungar!” 

“I am the one!” spoke Ephraim, lifting himself up 
from the armchair, and turning to the side wherefrom the 
strange voice sounded. “How can I serve you, gentleman?” 

“Serve! with nothing. But deliver me the maiden, 
Jew, the maiden who misleads Christian men and misguides 
them to prostitution.” 

“You know her well, old man! Meriam the daughter 
of the Hungarian Jew Ephraim Goldsmith, is charged with 
coquetry, and I, as a royal commissary of the chastity com¬ 
mission, am here to take her as a prisoner, just as we caught 
her coquetor at his fresh deed when he sneaked into your 
house.” 

“My child, my innocent and excellent child?” sobbed 
Ephraim, covering his face with both hands. After a while 
he collected himself and said further: “My gentleman, you 
are greatly mistaken. My child is as innocent and clean as 
the light of the sun.” 

“As the light which you are able to perceive”, scorn¬ 
fully said the rough officer. “Where is she ? Give her to us!” 

“My child was ordered to his Majesty our gracious 
Emperor. She was called to the royal palace from whence 
she has not yet returned”, replied the old man. 

The commissary laughed sarcastically; “Yes, she said 
so, to the royal court, but she went for a rendezvous with a 
lover. She may have chattered to you whatever she de¬ 
sired, for you are blind, so you shall know it old man. How- 


41 


ever we will wait for her, and in the meantime we will look 
around in the house. Give us the keys to the shrine, Jew, 
I will search through the house. 

Ferrenz the painter, refrained from speaking loud so 
that the old man would not recognize his voice and find out 
that he was in chains, for it would cause him grief. And 
even little Esther did not see Ferrenz for she was kept in 
the next room by the strange gentleman, so that she would 
not be frightened by the view of this adverse scene, so she 
also did not recognize him as being her teacher. But at the 
words “searching through the house” the young painter 
gnashed his teeth, but made no objection to these dishonor¬ 
able measures, the consequences of which he was convinced. 
The fettered and strongly watched young man was obliged 
to endure everything for he was powerless against the armed 
force. 

The chevalier, the one who opened the door for them 
turned to the commissary with the question: “First show me 
your permission to such steps, before I allow you to go on.” 

“Who are you?” the commissary interrupted him 
haughtily. “I do not need to give account to anyone except 
my chief, and if anyone dares to interfere with even a single 
word and disturbs me in my official duties he will surely share 
the same fate which this young fellow has, who was mislead 
by a maiden and who raised himself as her defender. Yes, 
fortunately the chastity commission is not abolished yet like 
other common institutions.” 

As one looking for help the chevalier turned to the door 
of the next room in which his comrade has been with little 
Esther, as though he expected him to come in and put an 
end to this painful scene. But his comrade still hesitated, 
and so he was obliged to yield to this arbitrariness. 

Ephraim delivered the keys with trembling hands, 
folded his hands and sat down quietly, expecting the conse¬ 
quences of the inquiry. The chevalier who chanced to wit¬ 
ness this scene stood at the side of the old man, and told him 


42 


to be courageous and promised him to see that no harm 
should be done to him or to his grandchild. By no means 
did Ephraim know neither the name nor the rank of his con- 
solator, yet at the words “courage” spoken by his consolator, 
he conceived the hopes that with the invasion under the pre¬ 
text of the law which has taken place this day, he has over¬ 
come the worst. We frequently observe such cases in life, 
that just at the darkest and sadest moment of helplessness, 
there comes from the background a shining ray of hope which 
brightens the dark night of an evil fate, and like the dawn as 
a forteller of bringing a healing aurora. 

Meanwhile the royal commissary has searched through 
the shrine, and there he noticed a secret drawer which would, 
perhaps have remained hidden to a less experienced man. 
He tried to open it with all his keys, but none of them fitted, 
so then he broke off the cover, and found a case of artful 
work. In it laid a complete ornament with brilliants of in¬ 
estimable value. It sparkled, glittered and beamed in all 
colors of the rainbow, so that it nearly burned out the eyes of 
the commissary, who pointed to it. 

“Ah, look here! Now it cannot be denied that his 
daughter is a coquet who catches in her net the sons of the 
noblest houses and misleads them, for where would a simple 
working girl of embroidery get such a costly ornament from ? 
Is it not the reward of sins? This jewel do I take with me 
as a corpus delecty, and the right owner of same shall be 
found.” 

“Compassion!” groaned the old man, who pursued with 
his fine hearing, though he could not see. “Mercy, your 
honor! This ornament does not belong to me, it is only in¬ 
trusted to me and I have to return it. It is the only one 
inheritance left by a noble house for an orphan boy.” 

And again sounded the scornful laughing of the com¬ 
missary. “Yes, as reward of a coquet of this noble young 
fellow here, this I believe.” 


43 


“No, not so, your grace! This is a family ornament 
from a high and noble house, which was once given to me to 
enchace it anew. But the owner was swept off by a terrible 
fate during the time when I was fettered to my sick bed, 
and since then I considered myself as a keeper of this valua¬ 
ble object until the real heir shall be found”, said the old 
man. 

“Your grace, if I should tell the name of that gentle¬ 
man, you would believe me just as much as you did hitherto. 
Therefore convince yourself, move the velvet from the etui 
somewhat sideways, and you will find the name and title of 
the real owner, it is embroidered with gold letters. 

The commissary did as the old man said and tried to 
read, half saying to himself: “Earl Bela Hunyady, royal 
Hungarian chamberlain; Colonel in state of retirement.” 

Now, as the excited Ferrenz heard the words, Hun¬ 
yady, he painfully exclaimed: “My father, my father, my un¬ 
happy father!” 

Ephraim with his sharp hearing recognized the voice 
of Ferrenz, though he had no knowledge of his being present 
until now, for about the words: “unhappy father” the old 
man referred it to himself and his bad condition. And so 
when the old man knew that his friend Ferenz was there, he 
called to him joyfully: “You are here my savor, my friend? 
If so everything is all right now, you will protect me this 
time, as well as you did sometime ago.” 

“Oh, oh, old man, I am powerless. I am not able to 
free myself from my fetters. But fear not, old friend, I 
will help you along, I will be at your side. I as the son of 
Bela Hunyady, the brave warrior, who bled in so many 
battles for the sake of his queen, will not pray in vain before 
the throne of the noble Emperor.” 

“You chap, ha, ha, you the son of the old Hunyady? 
Make another man believe it, but not me. This is a precon¬ 
certed thing, in order to lead astray the courts of justice. And 
you, Jew, you will pay hard for it.” 


44 


Now the gentleman who was in the next room, observ¬ 
ing all that was going on, how the officer disgraced the old 
man and that young fellow, and the whole scene, was quite 
stirred and pursued attentively every phase of everything 
and noted down in his memorandum book all that had taken 
place. At first it seemed that he was not inclined to step 
forward from his hiding place, but after hearing all that he 
felt bad about, especially when the blind man, for whom he 
felt so much interest, was insulted, he slowly opened the door, 
and shouted to the rough officer : “Keep away from that 
weak old man, you coward—you villain! I will teach you 
how to honor the helpless, and the men of old age.” 

Not used to such address, the commissary looked into the 
eyes of that bold speaker who stood in the doorway, at his 
full height, commanding. One look more, and he recog¬ 
nized him, and terrified to death he fell down at his feet, 
uplifting his folded hands, begging: “Mercy—mercy, your 
Majesty!” 

With a full gesture and unspeakable contempt Kaiser 
Joseph the Second turned away from the officer lying on the 
floor and spoke to his companion the well known states¬ 
man : “Let the fetters of Hunyady be taken off. He has car¬ 
ried them long enough, and I presume he did it all for the 
sake of the old man.” 

Ephraim, who sat all this time in his armchair, perceiv¬ 
ing that the one who tried to comfort him during this scene 
was the Kaiser, rose from his seat in order to pay his respect 
and veneration for this great Monarch and turned to the side 
from whence he perceived his voice. Never before have all 
his troubles afflicted the old Ephraim more than at this hour, 
because of the thought that the great ruler is standing in 
his presence and he cannot see him—He, who lowered him¬ 
self and descended into a tent of poverty in order to protect 
a human being. Nevertheless Ephraim was standing in 
veneration before his divine highness and spoke the words 


45 


of a blessing which is customary to say at the sight of 
crowned heads. 

The Kaiser’s companion Mr. Sonmenfelse called the 
attention of the Kaiser to the commissary who was still lying 
on the floor. “Are you still here, you man of misfortune? 
Away with you, and never again should you be seen here.” 
And he commanded the police to watch the house, so that 
this house will never be disturbed again. Now turning to 
Ephraim the Kaiser said: “Farewell old man, and be sure 
that your daughter will be at home within a short time. I 
purposely ordered her to appear at my residence, and stay 
there until I should find out whether her words in the peti¬ 
tion were based on truth, and meanwhile I came here unrec¬ 
ognized to find out all about it.” 

Ephraim succeeded in laying hold of the tip of the Em¬ 
peror’s cloak and leading it with veneration to his lips. 

In the royal palace there was a room in which Joseph 
Sonnenfelse, Professor of states knowledge, was sitting at 
his desk, and in this capacity he officiated for many years 
till the year 1797, when he afterwards was elevated to the 
rank of a Baron. Sonnenfelse has also been a great worker 
for the benefit of humanity, and for this reason he was 
highly esteemed by the people as well as by the Emperor, 
so that he was frequently seen in the Kaiser’s company, espec¬ 
ially when Kaiser Joseph disguised himself as the Chalif al 
Rashid, and went among the people, in order to find out who 
was in need and distress. And in the same manner was 
Sonnenfelse his companion when they came into the house 
of Goldsmith the Jew, to find out about the contents of the 
petition of the Jewish girl. 

And so it came to pass that while Kaiser Joseph with 
his chamberlain Sonnenfelse were exchanging words with 
each other, speaking about the reforming of all kinds of 
laws, as for instance, to abolish the decree of the yellow 
patch of the Jews, and of the restriction of their freedom, 
Sonnenfelse would not agree. 


46 


“We seem, this time, to have changed our role, my dear 
Sonnenfelse” said the Kaiser. “Till now you have been the 
one who urged me to reform laws which I lingered to sanc¬ 
tion, and today you want to put the hemshoe on my disap¬ 
pointed reform movement and withhold me from a deed 
which our Christian duty commands us to do? Confess: 
does your reservedness root, because it concerns the Jews, 
to whom the new decree should be in favor of?” 

“So it is, your Majesty!” 

“I do not understand you, Sonnenfelse! Is this the 
way for the brave fighter for humanity to speak? The Jews 
are human beings, too.” 

“Certainly! But their oppressors and pursuers are 
not. They are barbarians, your Majesty! Every reform 
which your Majesty would grant, would call forth satisfac¬ 
tion, even the measures against the clerus and against the 
possession of the churches, and would accept them but in 
stillness they would grumble and would only wait for an 
opportunity to rebel against it. But the decree of Jews 
which your Majesty in your inexhaustible grace are intent 
to give out, will give a pretence to this discontented element 
to protest loudly. Even the most loyal states citizens would 
receive the new decree only with grumbling, just because of 
the Jew, who should put down the sign of his disgrace or 
rather the disgrace of this century. Therefore for the sake 
of having established peace and rest do I beg: “your Majesty 
may delay this decree for a time!” 

“Has the appearance of the scene not made any im¬ 
pression upon the ideal freedomblusterer ? I wonder about 
it! asked the Kaiser. 

“If it was to put an end to the arbitrary actions of the 
chastity commission, which was established by the deceased 
queen, then such scenes would not be repeated.” 

“This will be done without delay, for this does not con¬ 
cern the Jews very much, who very scarcely give cause to 
the chastity courts to interfere, but it concerns my people in 


47 


general. Now how about the yellow patch, the disgraceful 
reminder of a dark middle age, this must disappear from 
my realm; simultaneously with the Jewish body tax. The 
Jew must have humane treatment in my realm, in order that 
he shall be enabled to acquire spiritual and moral develop¬ 
ment, and be enabled to contribute in equality with other 
citizens. To make this possible the first step shall be to 
abolish the yellow patch.” 

With earnest apprehensiveness Sonnenfelse kept silent. 

“Not so gloomy looking dear Sonnenfelse. Do not 
hide your noble heart behind a states reason, which does not 
agree with your former friendly human actions. You only 
embitter my joy with your pessimistic views in fixing an old 
evil. Only then if you find it for good, can my unshaken 
resolution be appeased. 

“Majesty, know it well that I gladly accept every move¬ 
ment of liberty, for to me the Jew, Christian and muselman 
are all alike. To preserve right and justice I would go in 
with all my power against danger, but it is my task to take 
care of the welfare of His Majesty himself and it is this 
which causes me to beg for a delay, for it would bring bitter¬ 
ness and dissatisfaction among the evil and baiting mass.” 

“Now we are even, Sonnenfelse! Here is my hand, 
strike in, man against man!” 


In the year 1781 on the 13th day of March the birth¬ 
day of the Kaiser was celebrated by a special feast. At that 
time he was forty years of age. In the short time of his 
independent reign he had accomplished a great deal. The 
Capitol was richly flagged and gloriously decorated. Shortly 
before the edict or act of toleration has been publicly pro¬ 
nounced, permitting free religious practice to the old catholic 
subjects with few immaterial limitations, as also there was 
granted to the Jews many liberties in their religion, and 



48 


political life. A band of music and a throng of people were 
marching throughout the streets, going straight to the court 
palace in order to meet the Kaiser and offer their homage to 
the noble monarch, and so the Kaiser has appeared on the 
balcony to greet the people, and started to proclaim as loud 
as he could: 

“On this my 40th birthday I ordered by the grace of 
my edict to abolish the law of the yellow patch which the 
Jews had to wear on their clothes.” 

The applause and joyous shouting was heard at a 
distance, so that it reached even the ears of the blind 
Ephraim—who was once the victim of this immoral disgrace¬ 
ful law, now abolished. Ephraim, greatly rejoiced, started 
to say the usual blessing, which is said when one receives a 
joyous message: “Praised art thou O God, Lord of the 
world, whose benefaction is endless.” 

Ephraim greatly inspired because of the liberties 
granted to Jews, decided to go out into the street in order 
to share the celebration with the rest of the people. Accom¬ 
panied by Ferenz, the son of his benefactor, who was dearer 
to him now than before, and by his daughter Meriam and 
grandchild he went into the street. Although he could not 
see the joyful actions of the happy mass of people, still he 
heard their shoutings of joy, and felt the pulses of the hearts 
of his brethern and his heart moved along in accord with 
them and he even called together with them: 

“Long live Kaiser Joseph the Second, the benefactor of 
the people!” 

Soon after this the young earl Hunyady was called to 
the royal court and received a high position there. He 
visited his old friend Ephraim as he did before, though he 
did not teach little Esther any longer, still he came there 
frequently, and was always welcomed. But he avoided to 
speak any more love suits to Meriam, though he would gladly 
sacrifice his position and rank, and remain a common painter, 
just for her sake, but as long as he knew that she would never 


49 

change her faith on account of him he did not do it. So did 
Meriam love him, too, but subdued it for she could not help 
it. 

She also refused to let any other admirer court her, and 
lived only to support her father and little Esther. 

The story of Meriam’s audience and its consequences 
circulated all over the city, so that she had become well 
known and people over burdened her with work, so that she 
had to engage many other girls to help her. Her income 
increased every day more and more so that welfare and 
happiness ruled in the house of the blind Goldsmith. 


50 


A SOUL’S DESTINY 

A Jewish soul, righteous and true 

Gets never transformed and remains a Jew. 

Pshemish is a city in Galicia and is fortified with a fort¬ 
ress, provided with military forces, headed by a Field 
Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, Generals and all lower 
officers. 

A few miles from Pshemish lived a count, who was very 
wealthy and had an only daughter, who was his sole heir to 
all his fortune. When she reached, her maturity her father 
was anxious to find for her a suitable match, in the first place 
he should be of a titled family, secondly he should possess 
as much riches as he possessed. 

There was a Major General in that fortress of 
Pshemish, who used to ride on horseback every morning and 
passed by the castle of the count and the young countess 
while looking through the window, she noticed the general, 
and observing his uniform, his figure, made a great impres¬ 
sion upon her. 

It was on a hot summer day the general was riding on 
his horse and he passed the castle. The countess was stand¬ 
ing at the gate of her castle. The general saluted her and in 
a soft voice he spoke to her: “Oh excellent young lady, 
pardon my arrogance. May I ask a little favor? I am 
languishing, if I could only be served with a little water, 
I would be very grateful.” 

“With pleasure,” replied the countess. In a few 
seconds she herself brought in a golden pitcher of fresh 
water. After pouring some in a silver cup, she reached it 
to him saying: “Sir, I am glad to serve you. Take it and 
refresh yourself.” 

“To whom do I have the pleasure, Madamselle ?” asked 
the general. 

“My father is Graf (Count) Lasansky and I am his 
daughter,” replied the countess. 


51 


“I wish I could be a count, I would be able to count on 
something that would make me the happiest in this world,” 
said the general. 

“I, again, am intent to renounce my title, if I could only 
be able to reach what my heart desires,” said the countess. 

“It is much easier to descend than to ascend,” replied 
the general. 

“Your case is an easy matter, but mine- 

“I think my case is more servere than yours, because I 
cannot act according to my aspiration, for there is one who 
dictates to me, and I must obey,” remarked the countess. 

Meanwhile a vehement storm interrupted their con¬ 
versation and the general kissed the hand of the countess and 
said: “I am sorry that my sweetest moments of life are 
getting interrupted, but I hope to continue. If you give me 
permission to visit you, I shall be the happiest.” 

“My birthday is next Sunday, and I am making a party 
to which I invited a few friends, so you are cordially invited, 
hoping you will crown the table with your presence,” said the 
countess. 

The general jumped on his horse and saluted the 
countess and went his way to Pshemish. 

On Sunday the countess was busying herself with 
entertaining the guests, one of the servants brought in a 
visiting card, reaching it to the countess; it was from the 
general. She hastened to open the door and welcome the 
general, introducing him to the guests, whereby her father 
took a glass of wine and reached it to the general saying, 
“Let us drink a glass upon the health of our beloved Kaiser 
Franzis Joseph.” . 

Then the general exclaimed, “Long live the Kaiser 
Franzis Joseph.” 

The countess sitting opposite the general, was delighted 
at every remark he made and when the party was over he 
said to her, “Let us take a ride on horseback somewhere 
into the forest and from there to some village.” She con- 



52 


sented and both sat on their horses and marched on the high¬ 
way, passing through the forest and aiming towards some 
village, but the countess remarked, “Let us ride to the village 
which belongs to my father, there we have our castle and we 
will take a rest there.” 

There they had the best opportunity to pour out their 
love to each other and made their appointments for the 
next meeting to meet each other right at that castle, of course 
by great secrecy. 

This rendezvous lasted for two years long, yet her 
father had not the slightest knowledge of it. 

Now all joys were turned into sorrow, because mobiliza¬ 
tion of all the Austrian Army took place, for a war between 
Italy and Austria broke out and the general was transferred 
to the border and after the war he was transferred to Bosnien 
and Herzogwiu. 

A few months after the countess took sick. The physi¬ 
cian after diagnosing her sickness constituted that she is 
pregnant with a child and is in her fourth month of 
pregnancy. 

The father subdued his anger and grief, would say 
nothing, but kept it in deep secrecy, so that even the nearest 
servant should not have any knowledge, for it would spoil all 
her career and shadow her future life. When the time of 
confinement came she gave birth to a male child. 

Early in the morning the count took a walk in the street, 
meeting his tenant, Mr. Moses a jewish man. “Good morn¬ 
ing excellence,” greeted him Moses. “How is it that you are 
so early in the street, your face pale and in a mood of 
sadness, I never have seen you in such # state.” 

“Well Moses, I would have to speak to you about some 
very important matter, but assure me by oath that you will 
keep it a secret; you are a Jew and Jews in general have good 
ideas so you will be able to give me advise. My daughter 
gave birth to a male child unlawfully and would like to keep 


53 


it a secret, but how if the child is with her it is impossible,” 
said the count. 

“Oh excellence, do not worry I will fix it nicely, my wife 
gave brith to a child at the same night and you send her child 
to me and I will announce and make public that my wife gave 
birth to twins and I will bring the child up as my own and 
your daughter will remain a virgin.” 

“Very well, Moses to-night I’ll send over the child 
and I will pay you ten thousand gulden for raising it, thank¬ 
ing you for your good advice and God may bless you.” 

The next day Moses announced in the village that his 
wife gave birth to twins, one boy and one girl and invited all 
jews to the celebration of circumcision which will take place 
on the eighth day. 

The boy’s name was given Abraham, prominent guests 
were at the celebration from Pshemish and from many other 
towns, also many great Rabbis took part. 

Abraham was a handsome and wise boy and at the age 
of 3 years he was sent to cheder (private school) he was the 
best scholar in the class, so that at the age of 13 he celebrated 
his bar mitzwah (confirmation) and said in public and at the 
party a speech which he himself composed and showed his 
alacrity, his skill in hebraic lore and in oratory gift. His 
costume was long coat, short pants and wearing long locks 
(peas) long stockings according to the custom of the Jews 
in Galicia. 

At the age of 18 Abraham received his diploma as a 
Rabbi, but his parents wanted him to be a merchant. His 
father, Moses got him a girl, daughter of a prominent family 
in Pshemish and gave him in marriage. After his wedding 
he established himself in the main street of Pshemish with a 
store keeping drygoods, silk and dresses. A year after his 
wedding he was blessed with a son, and Ezekiel Halber- 
stamm, great Rabbi at Shinyawah was god Father. 

Abraham occupied most of his time with studying the 
Talmud and Hebrew and his wife with clerks attended to 
the business. 


54 


The count Lazansky after Abraham was given to be 
raised by Moses, out of grief, fell into a distemper and in 
but a short time after departed his life and all his wealth was 
left to his only daughter. 

The Countess leading a solitary life, having no ambition 
to be married, decided once for ever to become a nun and so 
she joined the sisters in a convent and was a most pious 
catholic woman. Being there a quarter of a century she had 
occasion to observe all kind of wickedness among those 
sisters. Unmorality, unchastity reigned there to the highest 
degree. One could see, days and nights, priests roaming in 
and out and around the convent and prostitution was an open 
secret and for this reason the countess got disgusted and 
started to hate that convent life. She regretted her coming 
there, but too late, because she got old and thereby afflicted 
with sickness so that she fell into consumption and could 
never be cured, she therefore made up her mind to look after 
her own flesh and blood, no matter whether he was brought 
up as a jew or gentile, if he is only living. All her fortune 
should be left to him. And so she dressed herself in civil 
dresses and hired a carriage and went to the villiage where 
she was born and there she stopped at the house of the 
jewish man Moses, who was intrusted with raising her child. 
Coming in she asked the owner whether he recognized her. 
But Moses at first did not know who she might be, but as she 
tried to give him signs of being the countess, he soon re¬ 
membered her well and she said to him, “Moses, I wish to 
ask you, what happened to the child, is he living, was he 
brought up by you?” “Brought up?” Why he is a mar¬ 
ried man and is himself a father of children, he is financially 
well fixed, he keeps a store in Pshemish and is well known as 
an honest, righteous and pious jew,” replied Moses. “Give 
me his address, if you don’t mind it,” said the countess. 
“With pleasure, he lives on that number in main street of 
Pshemish you will see his sign, by his name,” replied Moses. 
The countess thanked him and left for Pshemish. 


55 


Coming to the town she stopped before the store of 
Abraham, went in and the Mrs. Abraham waited on her. 
The countess chose all kinds of goods and asked her for the 
bill. It amounted to a few hundred gulden but the countess 
wouldn’t pay as much and wished to bargain it cheaper, for 
she was eager to see the husband so she said, “let your hus¬ 
band come, he will make it cheaper and so on. Mrs. Abra¬ 
ham went in to her husband telling him about the lady who 
bought goods for a few hundred gulden, yet she wouldn’t 
pay the price according to the bill, he should go and finish the 
bargain. But Abraham was just occupied in a hard problem 
of the Talmud, he wouldn’t leave it before he would be 
through. Again his wife reminding and admonishing him 
to go in, for it isn’t an every day customer to buy so much 
goods at once. Upon which he said, “Let her go to hell, I 
am interested in my problem so don’t bother me.” And 
when she scolded him, he at last came out and made the bar¬ 
gain with the lady. 

The countess observing him from head to feet, but 
mostly his features and soon convinced herself that he re¬ 
sembled the features of the Major General, Felix, as also 
to her features. She said nothing but placed a pocket book 
with 15 hundred gulden under the goods lying on the counter 
and she went her way. While Abraham put the goods upon 
the shelves he noticed a pocketbook, opening it, found 15 
hundred gulden, and said to his wife, “oh! the lady must have 
forgotten it, let me run after her and if I overtake her, I will 
return it to her. He was unable to find her and came back 
and preserved it, that in case she will call and ask for it, he 
will return it, but she did not show up. A year passed by, 
the same lady came in again to Abraham’s store, ordered for 
a few hundred gulden goods and again she hid a pocketbook 
under the goods lying on the counter and when she left and 
Abraham packed and put the goods on the shelves, found a 
pocketbook, opened it and found 2000 gulden and exclaimed, 
“Oh! that woman must be some bad and wicked woman, she 


56 


is trying to make me mischief, this is only a pretence some 
day I may be carried to the courts and declared as a thief 
and be sentenced to death.” 

Some years passed by, the Countess felt she will soon 
expire, made a will, leaving all her fortune to Abraham and 
in order that the will should be made stronger and more 
legal she spoke all the words of the will into a phonograph 
and remarked in the will that the authorities should open the 
room by a number in the castle, where they will find a phono¬ 
graph, which will speak her own voice and verify all the 
words written in the will, that the will should be executed 
according to her will and she departed her life. 

After her death the authorities and the court took 
charge over the castle and appointed a day for opening and 
investigating all documents and will. 

And when the appointed day came, the authorities 
opened all documents finding the will, reading it through 
they found the contents of a queer nature, saying nothing be¬ 
cause a will is a will. 

The day for trial and execution of the will was set for 
a certain date, and Moses, Major General Felix and Abra¬ 
ham were summoned to appear on that date to the court of 
Pshemish in order to testify as witnesses of a certain case. 

Of course all appeared, but Abraham lamented, crying 
and weeping, saying to his wife, “Now you see, I am sum¬ 
moned to the court, this is on account of that lady who left 
twice money, to accuse me as a thief, now they will lock me 
up, oh, I am lost! Woe to me ! Now I will make supplication 
to God he should help me in my trials, oh that evil woman! 
Woe to me!” 

At the trial, Moses testified the truth, the Major Gen¬ 
eral testified the truth, for the Countess remarked it in her 
will that Moses and the General should be asked to testify 
and so they verified the will and when Abraham was called 


57 


to testify, he was asked by the president of the court, “What 
is your name?” 

“My name is Abraham,” replied he. 

What is your father’s and mother’s name?” asked the 
President. 

My fathers name is Moses and my mothers name is 
Yetty,” replied Abraham. Did you ever hear a name Grafin 
(countess) Lazansky? asked the President. Never, replied 
he. 

Have you ever heard of a name General Felix? asked 
the President. 

No, never, said Abraham. 

“Now my dear Mr. Abraham, I must tell you, that 
Moses and Yetty are not your parents, but Major General 
Felix and the countess Lazinsky are your parents,” said the 
President. 

“What? It seems to me that your honor is making fun, 
or was I called hither to be mocked at? WFat am I crazy 
or a fool,” shouted Abraham. The President took the will 
into his hand, started to read it and when finished he said,” 
“you see Abraham your mother the Countess left you a for¬ 
tune of millions worth in estate and from this day on you may 
take possession of same, here take all documents together 
with the will and go rule over your fortune according to your 
own desire and I congratulate you to your great happiness,” 
said the President. 

Abraham was confused, he was not able to speak a 
word, went home thinking the matter over, he could not be¬ 
lieve that he was born of none jewish people and thereby an 
unlawful child. He was unable to bear the disgrace and 
decided to talk the matter over with the wise and great Rabbi 
of Shinyavah. Coming there and asking the Rabbi whether 
it is possible that he should be an unlawful child and if so 
whether he is able to atone and be a pure member of the 
congregation of Israel. Upon which the Rabbi replied that 


58 


he shall only remain true to his religion so his soul will be 
purified and will be counted among the noblest Jewish souls 
in this world as well as in the hereafter. This advise ap¬ 
peased Abraham and he took charge over all the estate left 
to him and devoted great sums of money to poor Jewish 
families, to all charitable societies and remained a most 
honest, righteous, and pious jew till his death. 


59 


JOKAI MAURUS 

Jokai was born in Komarom, Hungary, in 1825, and 
died in 1904. He was the greatest Hungarian novelist, 
playwright and poet. 

At one time when he was member of Parliament antise¬ 
mitism made itself palpable throughout the country and 
reached even the Parliament, upon which Jokai demon¬ 
strated his remarks in the Parliament saying: “I myself 
had been in my earliest youth a Jew-hater, because I was 
born with it, and when I was ten years of age I attended the 
Gymnasium, and at that very time, through an incident I 
changed my mind and had become a Phylosemite”. So it 
was, as one day our Professor came in to our classroom ac¬ 
companied by a man who wore a beard, and the Professor 
introduced him to us as our future schoolmate. All the chil¬ 
dren in the class looked at him amazingly, some with mock¬ 
ing looks, some with eager eyes to know who he was, and 
some who had sport about his beard, but I myself looked 
with disgust upon his face, for I did know that he was a Jew. 
I disliked to see him in my class, but could not help. Some¬ 
time after, he restrained from school for 3 days long. And 
on the fourth day when he came in the Professor asked him 
the reason why he was absent. He replied that his wife 
blessed him with a son, so he was prevented from coming. 
Upon this all the children laughed and hissed. 

This man was the son-in-law of the chief Rabbi in 
Komarom. He was destined to succeed his father-in-law, 
but he did not like this profession, he made up his mind to 
become a physician, and while he was lacking high school 
education, he begged the Professor to let him attend the 
Gymnasium and he was granted. Of course his father-in- 
law and his wife did not agree, yet were they not able to pre¬ 
vent him. In his ambition and zeal he was very diligent 
so he was well liked by the Professor. His seat was next 
to me. 


60 


Solomon (for this was his name) was a polite, meek 
and humble man, yet I hated him, because he was a Jew. One 
day we had an argument about a problem, I asserted the 
affirmative and he the negative, yet I was sure that I was 
right, I stretched out my hand and gave him a punch in his 
face and called him a damned Jew, yet Solomon said nothing. 

At twelve o’clock we went home for dinner, and while 
sitting at the table somebody was knocking at the door. My 
mother went to see who it is, and I heard it is Solomon. I 
soon crept under the bed to hide myself, for I feared to be 
beaten. Then I heard my mother saying: “You probably 
are coming to report the bad conduct of my Morris in school. 
What did he do? 

“I am coming”, said Solomon, “to beg you, you should 
not punish the little Morris, for he is a clever boy. As I 
left school for dinner, on the way I considered that problem 
about which I argued with Morris and found that he is per¬ 
fectly right, in his assertions consequently he does not de¬ 
serve to be punished.” Not even to be admonished, but 
rather to be kissed for he is a smart boy.” 

I was still under the bed, listening to those words of 
that man. I said to myself, “Yes, he is nothing but an angel, 
and if Jews possess such noble feelings, I will never hate 
them but love them”. And so from that day on I got more 
and more convinced of their integrity; of their sublime 
spirit, and of their character, so that I was proud to call 
myself their friend in every respect and in every mode of 
life. Therefore I beg all the members of Parliament they 
should not offend or accuse the Jewish race, for they are in 
general a glory to our country. 

When Jokai was 19 years of age he introduced his first 
play which was called “The Jew Boy”. He was one of those 
who enriched and enlarged the stock of knowledge and their 
language, and in category he ranked with Professor Armin 
Vambary, whose fame spread all over the habitable world; 
and with Ballagi, who was the father of a dictionary, like 


61 


Webster in America, and with Baron Otwash, who was dean 
of the Academy of art and science and Archeological aesthe¬ 
tic. Through his activities as a statesman he elevated that 
nation to the highest pinnacle among all civilized nations. 

In 1868, Jokai was sitting at a table in the Cassino, 
drinking black coffee, chatting with his friends Professor 
Samuel Kahanyi (uncle of the writer of this story) Profes¬ 
sor Kovesh (son-in-law of Kahanyi) and Professor Banozi. 
At first their conversation was politics, then religion. Upon 
which Jokai said: “Friends I acquired a good deal of edu¬ 
cation and knowledge, yet I regret not having the opportun¬ 
ity to learn the Hebraic and Talmudic lore, for only then 
my soul would be satisfied. You see, he continued, I am 
named after Moses (because Maurus or Moritz is in Ger¬ 
man Moses) the law giver, who was the greatest human 
spirit mankind ever possessed, and in this spirit he trained 
the Hebraic race, yea, even physically he nourished and 
brought them up by heavenly bread (called Mannah), and 
for this reason their offspring is imbued with that sublime 
wisdom of God’s power to this day, whereas no gentile has 
ever penetrated. Let us consider the gentile people in 
general. They strive in this life to be scientific in order to 
invent constructions of works; it should help them gain the 
powers and beauties of nature so that it should enable them 
to enjoy this life more and more, but look at those prophets 
and sages of the Jewish race, they renounced all earthly treas¬ 
ures; they were striving to penetrate into the heavenly re¬ 
gions, to gain their delight in God himself, and paved their 
ways to gain their everlasting bliss even in the hereafter. 
And so did they transplant that noble spirit upon their off¬ 
spring. Oh, I wish, I would have been born of that race! 
And if our God would mercy me and would let me at least 
become incorporated with this race no matter what means 
he may use to unite my body and soul with them, I would 
feel the happiest while here in this world, and especially in 
the future world.” 


62 


When Jokai reached his 70th year he lost his wife. All 
his children were married, so he was left alone. Jokai, 
being acquainted with actors and actresses, soon fell in love 
with an actress by name Fekete, born in Budapest, of Jewish 
parents and was about 32 years of age. One day he said to 
her, Miss Fekete, I love you—I love your body, your soul 
and spirit; especially because you are an extraction of the 
Jewish race, so that it was my ardent desire and longing of 
old to become incorporated with that race in body and soul, 
and when I depart this life and will enter that long journey 
in regions above and should reach that spot where everlast¬ 
ing bliss is enjoyed by the people of your race, I may, if ac¬ 
companied by you, be admitted to take part in their joys, 
therefore, do I wish you to become my consort and compan¬ 
ion for life. Moreover if my faith should be an obstacle to 
our marriage I would even consent to be converted to Juda¬ 
ism, but you know the situation of antisemitism in this coun¬ 
try, so my conversion would spoil the career of my children, 
let us therefor be married by civil law, and avoid all religious 
ceremonies.” 

Upon this, Miss Fekete exclaimed, “No obstacle shall 
be in our way, for I always admired your greatness, your 
knowledge, and now I admire your soul, and I love your 
soul and spirit, which are as youthful as in your prime of 
years; so let us wander throughout this life and throughout 
that everlasting life in the hereafter in love and gladness for 
ever and ever.” 

And so they were married and lived a happy life till 
his death. 

Solomon, the son-in-law of the chief Rabbi in Kom- 
arom, when he finished the Gymnasium, he went to Berlin, 
entered the University, studied medicine until he received 
his diploma. Coming home to his wife and children, he 
established himself in an office in the same city, started to 
practice and in but a few weeks after, he took sick and died. 
Finis. 


63 


THE LITTLE CHAJIM AT THE MELAMED 

It was on the first day of the half holidays of the feast 
of Tabernacle in the year 5635, as chajimel Neuberg, accom¬ 
panied by his father were traveling to a village “Nyier” in 
the northern part of Hungary in order to attend the cheder 
(private school), of the well known Melomed R. Jakav 
Nyier. At that time was Nyier far apart from the com¬ 
mercial world, for there was no highway, no roads, so that 
horse and wagon should be able to pass without hardship 
and for this reason it was a great task to travel by wagon 
from Newburg to Patak four hours time from Patak to 
Takay with the train, four hours and from Takay to Nyier 
one had to be transferred by a stage coach. 

Chajimle, also called Chajimele, was a small and slender 
boy of about eleven years of age, whom roguishness Slashed 
out of his lively eyes. His father, a strict religious man, 
desired him to become a Bochur (Talmud student) especial¬ 
ly because he was the oldest one of the boys and on the other 
hand is a Hebrew student fit to be placed to any other posi¬ 
tion. 

At parting from his parental house he was not worried 
much for he was sitting in a wagon at the side of his father. 
His mother holding him embraced with her hands, kissing 
him and weeping bitterly. But the coachman whipped the 
horses and the wagon started to move slowly toward the 
highway. It was just five o’clock in the morning and a vehe¬ 
ment storm and rain accompanied them. 

R. Zelig Neuberg kindled his pipe and little Chajim 
who was taken out of his bed at about three o’clock in the 
morning, was soon asleep again through the shaking and 
moving of the wagon, as he would be lulled in a cradle. 

At seven o’clock in the morning the travelers arrived 
at a village where they stayed one hour. Meanwhile the 
travelers performed their morning prayer and shaked Lulof 
(palm branch) and after they were done they were served 


64 


with a warm breakfast and then they started on their travel 
accompanied by R. Shemuel Neuberg brother of R. Zelig 
who had to make some business in Patak. 

R. Shmuel had to take his seat on the wagon right in 
the front and was compelled to sit half bent there because 
the cover of the wagon did not reach in full to be sheltered 
from the rain. Of course in this case was he mostly exposed 
to become wet. 

“Shemuel,” began: R. Zelig, “you have a new suit? 
(Tischadesh) you shall wear and tear it in good health.” 

“Thank you, thank you,” replied Samuel. 

“The suit is nice, but the stuff could be better,” retorted 
R. Zelig, thereby he tried the quality of same by touching 
it with his fingers. “I am more practical in it than you,” 
replied Shemuel. I purchase my suits in Rosenbergs in 
Patak; now for instance, this suit had cost me fifteen gulden 
and when I have used it one year, I buy a new one. You 
purchase your stuff in Wallachs in Viene, and you believe to 
bargain it cheap when you produce it at a cost of thirty 
gulden. But you do not wear it any way longer than two 
years and when worn one year it is not pretty any more. So 
then for the same amount I am wearing my suits always sty- 
lish.” 

At nine o’clock in the morning the travelers arrived in 
Patak. The first to jump down from the wagon was She¬ 
muel; he straightened himself up and was glad to stand upon 
his feet once again. Then he bent himself down in order 
to fix his pants which were pulled over his boots and tried to 
pull them down. But oh, weh the pants did not move from 
the spot for the stuff was shrunk together on account of wet¬ 
ness and sox and drawers were laid open. Shemuel looked 
like a warrior without a coursey woolen cloth. 

Little Chajim laughed at him heartly and so did Zelig 
laugh so that it caused tears rolling down from his eyes. 

“Do you see, Shemuel, what your mezieth (bargains) 
are”, spoke R. Zelig to his brother. Now in such time there 


65 


was good advise very dear for in such cloth Shemuel could 
not go into the city and even in a hotel he was ashamed to go, 
so there was no other advise for him than to sit in the wagon, 
which was placed in the barn and wait until another pair of 
pants would be brought for him from the store of Mr. Ro¬ 
senberg. In a short time after a new pair of pants was 
brought by a clerk who had trouble enough to pull off the 
spoiled, wet pants from Shemuel’s legs. 

Twelve o clock at noon they continued their travel on 
the train so that at five o’clock in the afternoon father and 
son arrived in Takay. From there they took the stage 
coach and in two hours they arrived in Nyier. There they 
were the guest of a relative called R. Shaje Seldis. 

After they have taken their meals Chajim was sent to 
bed but began to sob bitterly as he found himself in the 
room all alone and was only quiet when his father joined 
him in bed. 

On the next day they went to the Melamed (teacher) 
R. Jakaw Nyier. R. Jakaw lived in a large house in the 
rear of the yard. The kindly old woman, wife of the mal- 
amed, called “Babe” (grandmother) stood at the door 
when the strangers called on her inquiring where R. Jakaw 
lives. She politely replied that he lived there but he is 
away on his errand for some business transaction, but they 
may meet him at the stage coach station, if he did not set 
out already. So then both father and son went to the sta¬ 
tion of the stage coach. Coming there they went in the 
waiting room where they met R. Jakaw and no other pas¬ 
sengers. 

R. Zelig stepped toward the old gentleman while Cha¬ 
jim remained standing at the door and considering his future 
teacher. 

R. Jakaw, a lean tall man with a long white beard and 
with long peos over his temples, has been sitting on a chair, 
holding in his right hand a long smoking pipe and in his left 
hand holding his long beard. His head was covered with 


66 


a black fur cap under which one could see a black, dirty little 
cap peeping. He wore an overcoat over which another 
light coat he had on and was tightly bound with a string; 
around his neck was a red and blue shawl in order to be pro¬ 
tected from cold. His bright, gray eyes and his broadly 
white forehead could only represent his reverence and re¬ 
garded him as some kind of an authority, so that Chajim in 
spite of the funny cloth he did not dare to laugh loudly and 
smiled to himself imperceived of any one. 

“Are you R. Jakaw?” asked him Mr. Neuburg. 

“Who else shall I be”, replied the other. 

“But you are not of this place ! Thus Sholem alechem 
(peace with you) thereby Mr. Neuburg reached him his 
hand. 

“I am from Neuburg,” began Mr. Neuburg; our Rabbi 
R. Benjamin Wolff sends me to you with my son who shall 
learn by you.” 

“How, is this the boy”? asked the melamed. 

Chajim stepped near bashfully, R. Jakaw mustered 
the little boy from head to foot, whereby his forehead folded 
wrinkles and the result of his mustering was: “Does he not 
wear Peos, the Shegez? (locks along the forehead; that 
worthless) ”. 

R. Zelig tried to excuse it so that it is the custom of their 
place not to wear forehead locks. But R. Jakaw replied 
in short, “by me he must wear Peos;” whereby R. Zelig 
agreed especially if this is a thing which belongs to the 
(condit o sine qwa non) and builds the position of the 
Bochur (Talmud student). 

Chajim began to weep. His father was of the opinion 
that the cause of his tears were because he was worrying 
that he has no Peos (locks) said to him, “Do not weep my 
child, for within two weeks you will have peos.” 

The salary was fixed eight gulden per month and one 
gulden for the german teacher who came there to teach 
the normal classes, else his cheder (private school) would 


67 

be considered as a private normal school and would be closed 
by order of the court. 

The Shiur (talmud course) begins on Isruchag (the 
day after the holidays) said R. Jakaw and I in my capacity 
as a Shadchen (mediator of couples to marrige) am going 
today to Budapest in order to mediate a couple and shall re¬ 
turn not sooner than after the holidays.” Therewith was 
the conversation closed and father and son were favorably 
released. 

The rest of the day they devoted with Chajims instal¬ 
lation at his boarding folks Joseph Melech with his wife 
Edel and the conference with his mentor in profane educa¬ 
tion. 

Joseph Melech was an elderly man with a blond and 
very gray beard who kept a little grocery store connected 
with a retail trade of Shnaps. Mr. Melech was a very 
pious and honest man, a habituated snuffer and smoker and 
thereby a lottery brother of the worst kind. This man spent 
the greater part of the day in praying, saying Thilim (Psal¬ 
ter). This man though tall and strong yet he was timid, 
fearful. Every evening before going to bed he kissed the 
mezusa (scripture in a little case on the door post) seven 
times and looked in every corner in the house whether there 
was no thief and sometimes after he read the Shema (prayer 
before going to bed) he even crept under the beds. 

Edel his beloved wife, a cousin of Chajim’s grandfather 
was a little, very short-seeing woman, who usually pressed 
her eyes together in order to be able to see better; her nose 
was long and pointed and her tongue still more pointed. 
Their only son learned in the jeshiba (talmud High School) 
in Halash. Aklba Glazer, called Minkus or Binkus, who 
ought to instruct Chajim in the normal classes was a hump¬ 
backed and somewhat hard of hearing, but highly educated. 
By him was the examination somewhat harder than by R. 
Jakaw; still Chajim passed both of them with honor. Now 
were all plans for the purchase of books and the regular 


68 


hour for teachings advised and the instruction ought to 
begin after the holidays. 

On the third day of Chalhamoed (half holidays) R. 
Zelig Neuburg departed Chajim wept bitterly, so that it 
could move even a stone. But also his father’s eyes were 
not dry, still the hopes that Chajim should become a Ben 
Torah (a well learned in Talmud) whereby only the well 
known Melamed (teacher) R. Jakaw ought to lay the foun¬ 
dation stone, he subdued his pains in his heart and left his 
first born son with the Melamed. 

The homesickness of Chajim lasted until the last holi¬ 
days were over, his boarding folks were hardly able to ap¬ 
pease the little boy during these two days, and only on the 
first day when cheder (school) began, his longing for home 
ceased because he was among the children. 

There were about thirty scholars, among whom four 
grandchildren of R. Jakaw who were the most unruly, so 
that even in the Judengasse (street inhabited by Jews, 
Goeto) of Neuburg was not to be found a comparison to 
them. These four, called Mordchele the younger one and 
the older one Flamfeder and Davidle they lived with their 
grandfather. 

The name of the oldest of the other twenty six was 
Salmon Terkl that is Turk; was a tall boy with red cheeks 
with blond long locks hanging down on his temples and was 
nicknamed Ohnos, because of his snubnose thus ohn-nose- 
means without a nose. 

Yea, the proverb (nomen ost omen) was realized in the 
cheder of R. Jakaw for every pupil was called by some kind 
of a nickname which had its origin of some source. 

Hershele Parch, a pale boy, was called by this name, 
because of his scald head, Mandele Rotzer, because of his 
dirty nose; Shmule Rettich because he liked to eat much 
rettich (raddish). Yankele Krumkopf, because his head 
was always bent crooked, and Borock Pipezer, because of 
his piping voice. 


69 


The cheder (school) a large undealed floor with sooty 
walls which received its light through two little windows 
from the yard. In order to be able to enter the place one 
had to pass first through the kitchen yet most of the scholars 
did not care to pass through the kitchen but jumped in and 
out through the window for the scholars of the talmud class 
were more diligent then as were the others so they would 
not wait as long until the rail or bolt would be pushed on to 
open the door. 

The equipment of the cheder was very primitive. At 
the lower square wall stood two beds for the grandchildren 
of the Melamed (teacher). At the right and left side of 
the length of the walls stood long tables. At the front end 
of the right side standing tables stood an arm-chair plated 
with straw, this was the teachers chair. The benches of 
both sides were not constructed of boards, but on each corner 
was placed one chair and a long board placed on it so that 
some time it was pushed to the ground on one side and turned 
all the scholars upside down which caused a shouting among 
them and sometimes when the benches were on one side 
higher because of the smaller scholars they fixed it with pil¬ 
ing up bricks under the benches. 

At ten o’clock in the morning R. Jakaw appeared in 
the cheder, for till this hour he was in his private room, 
which was separated from the school-room through the kit¬ 
chen. He was enveloped in his dressing gown and a fur cap 
on his head. In one hand he carried the pipe and matches, 
in the other hand the tobacco bag and a brown earthen pot 
in which he preserved the remaining part of consumed 
tobacco of the pipe, which he then sold to the woodchopper 
or some laborer a little as much as one could hold between his 
finger for one Kreuzer. 

“Good morning Robbie (teacher) the scholars shouted 
in a chorus. “Be choked,” sounded the laconic answer 
of the teacher. The Rabbi stepped slowly to his seat, plac¬ 
ing the smoking requisits upon the table and sat down in his 


70 


chair. Then he cast his looks upon Chajim and called out,” 
Where is the Odenburger, the Presburger, the Neuburger 
Shegez (unworthy) without peos (locks)” Chajim came 
near to the seat of the teacher. “What is thy name?” 
“Chajim”, replied he in a low tone. “Well, Chajim I will 
tell you this, if you will learn, is all right, if not, shall thy 
tate (father) count upon an orach (guest) for Shabes (Sab¬ 
bath) and cause your mother to make a large Kugel (cake).” 
Chajim began to weep. “Tipish (dunce) why do you weep? 
You are not going away yet.” R. Jakaw appeased the sob¬ 
bing scholar. Then he gave him his task for Chajim re¬ 
marked that he is not able to read the talmud, much less to 
understand it. Upon this R. Jakaw said, “Well, I know 
it, but Noah will help you.” 

The method of instruction of this man consisted there¬ 
in that the elder scholars helped along the younger ones 
until they, after two years practicing were able to attend the 
lectures of the Rabbis without help. At half past ten R. 
Jakaw kindled his pipe, this was a sign that the instruction 
of the Talmud will begin. Before the instruction of the 
Talmud 3 chapter of the Pentatench with Rashi ( a comam- 
tary of the bible) was learned. One of the younger scholars 
translated a verse, an older one again interpreted the Rashi; 
the melamed gave his opinion in the same. But if some 
sentence in Rashi contained a display of grammar, this was 
omitted for such study belongs to apekorsim (atheist), also 
Chajim had to translate a verse, but the high german langu¬ 
age which Chajim used was a thorn in the eyes of the mela¬ 
med and as he translated the word “Naar” with “Burshe”— 
boy, R. Jakaw began, “Purshen—Purshen, Naar is a young 
—a youth, and thereby he became wild and closed the book. 
The translation of the melamed was generally peculiar, it 
was more jargon interpretation than as it was translation. 
As for instance he translated (Wajivez Esau es Habchora) 
gen. 25-34.) Esau dispised the birthright—Esau has been 
mewazeh the bechorah. Once Chajim translated “Lech 


71 


red-go down, “red-go lower,” R. Jakaw corrected him; but 
Lhajim understood him to say red-nieder (low) speak low. 
so he spoke low, “Lech red-go down-red hoch (loud)” called 
K. Jakaw, but red-nieder-low.” Chajim then said loud 
and perceivable, “lech red, go down,” R. Jakaw got angry 
and threw the bible upon his head saying “Chamer (ass) 
does lech red mean step high? Lech means step, and red 
means low, but do not speak too loud and not too low. 

At half past eleven R. Jakaw used to leave for a while 
and till he returned the scholars fixed {he clock on the wall 
with one half an hour forwards and when he came in the 
scholars called Rabbi the bell of the clock will soon ring 
twelve. Upon this R. Jakaw replied, “The twelfth shlag 
(unexpected misfortune) shall meet you on the way, break 
your neck and feet and go.” With this the pupils were re- 
leased and like a wild hord they jumped out. Some through 
the door, some through the window and only a few boys of 
good character, among them also Chajim were waiting until 
the swarm left and so forsook quietly the cheder. 

At one o clock in the afternoon came the german teach¬ 
er, B. B. B. Binkus. His real name was Minkus, but be¬ 
cause he had the habit to speak through his nose, so that one 
could perceive his expression B instead of M and thereby 
stutter and for this reason they called him Binkus. 

Minkus a little weakly fellow with a long brownish 
beard, was one of those who jumped from his cowl, being 
formerly a Bochur (Talmud student) and with a very incom¬ 
plete education but a pretty handwriting. Because he was 
not able to acquire much hebrew education and thereby did 
also nature grant him bodily development only like a step¬ 
mother, so he was not able to get a consort for himself, in¬ 
spite of that he was at that time thirty years old and as for a 
Bochur (Talmud student) this was a high age. 

The instruction consisted in penmanship and counting, 
yet Minkus was not able to do counting higher than multi¬ 
plication. He was not able to master much the orthography 


72 


nor phonetic sound, he had especially his own explanation for 
words, as for instance he wrote instead “brilliant—brilliant,’’ 
because its root is brullen; Lehrer-teacher, leerer-from leer- 
empty, derived same from himself. Minkus himself served 
the pupils a target of mockery and there were many of them 
who imitated him in the stuttering and the sniveling. 

At two o’clock in the afternoon R. Jakaw took his sleep 
and after this he appeared in the cheder (school), in order 
to help along and correct and prove his pupils, which lasted 
half an hour and then he started his Minchaprayer (after¬ 
noon prayers) and during this performance the school chil¬ 
dren were jumping around in the yard and so they tarried 
there until the evening prayer. 

The performance of the evening prayer took place in 
the cheder, then the instruction began by the lights of candles. 
Every scholar had to bring with himself such a candle and 
placed same before his book. 

Chajim progressed and stood in great favor with R. 
Jakaw. Only once he was scolded, as R. Jakaw had his 
habit to put the burned tobacco upon the table, which he again 
put in his pipe in order that it may burn quickly but Chajim 
threw it down to the ground. “Chamer (ass) said R. 
Jakaw. “Don’t you know that burned tobacco is easier to 
smoke? One must be economical, I must save matches.” 

Meanwhile Chanuka, feast of dedication came near. 
Eight days before this feast Chajim was called in to R. 
Jakaw into his private room saying to him, “Write to your 
father that next week is Chanuka.” 

“My father will know this himself,” replied Chajim. 

“Yes, but I must know, too, that he knows it. Only 
write and go,” answered R. Jakaw. With this Chajim was 
released. 

As he again came among the children and related to 
them the peculiar conversation of the Melamed, no one gave 
him the explanation that R. Jakaw’s wish is to get twenty- 
five cigars as a Chanuka present, they kept it rather as a 


73 


precaution not to reveal to Chajim in order that R. Jakaw 
shall worry and scold as much as possible. Chajim came 
to Cheder on the first day of Chanuka without bringing any 
present, the others brought their presents and usually left 
it in the private room. 

At ten o’clock R. Jakaw came to Cheder. 

“Chajim where are the cigars?” he asked. 

^ Which, what kind of cigars?” Chajim asked. 

“What kind of cigars? the blue one, the green one, the 
Chanuka cigars? Shneid dir achzig thaus—and Kries (cut 
in one of the garments is a sign of mourning after parents— 
cut yourself eighty thousand times) commit suicide, break 
your hands and feet and write to your father that it is a cus¬ 
tom by me, every scholar has to send or bring me twenty- 
five cigars as a Chanuka present.” 

After this demand which was distinctly put on Chajim, 
R. Jakaw received his 25 cigars before the feast of lights 
elapsed. In spite of the richly gifts he received, the Shaboth 
Chanuka had a bitter taste of something extraneous to the 
things itself, for the Mrs. of R. Jakaw the Babe (grand¬ 
mother) baked for Shabes Chanuka cheesecake and Men- 
dele Rotzer played her a sad trick. Already for this reason 
because on Friday when she was busy in the kitchen and the 
unruly children went in and out she scolded, saying, “Oh 
you unruly children,” turning to her husband and said, “your 
mamzerin (bastards) (your miseraplebs) they are here 
again,” but R. Jakaw knew it by experience that his wife 
liked to scold, but she didn’t mean it so hard for she liked to 
see in the kitchen the scholars around her in order that they 
help her doing some work there and for this reason did not 
mind it much and did not prohibit them to be in the kitchen. 

After a while the calling of R. Jakaw was heard, “Break 
your neck out of the kitchen,” “well the babe called us,” it 
sounded back in a chorus. 

“Well, shnid euch a krie mit ihr zusammern( cut your¬ 
selves in your garments together with her)” R. Jakaw 


74 


in order to honor the ShaBees Chanuka the cheesecakes must 
be made luxuriously. The babe mixed the cheese with eggs, 
sugar, butter and raisins mixing and beating same, so long 
till it had become a sweet plumy mass. But during the time 
until she brought out the dough from the room, where it was 
placed on the oven in order to ferment, Mendle Rotzer took 
a handful of salt and a handful of clay which he carried in 
his pocket several days just for that purpose and strew it 
into the cheese and mixed it throughly with the dough. 

R. Jakaw instead of going to the temple, he performed 
his prayers at home with a minjen (ten male persons) especi¬ 
ally on Saturday they performed Shacharis (morning 
prayers) and Musaf (noon prayer) together and those 
scholars who lived near there they all came there except 
those who lived far they went to other temples. After 
breakfast all came to R. Jakaw to greet him and say, “Good 
Shabath.” And so it was on the same Shabath after R. 
Jakaw was done with the prayer he went into the next room 
where on the table was a dish with cheesecakes and on his 
plate were two breads, he washed his hands and cut one of 
the breads, ate a morsel of same, took the shnaps bottle and 
made Kidush (blessing over the shnaps) saying lechaim (to 
live long) to every one in the room, then he seized the cakes. 
Meanwhile the scholars gathered themselves together, greet¬ 
ing him, “Good Shabath Rabbi, Good Shabath. Good yohr 
(year) he replied and holding the cheesecake in his hand and 
started to bite in one of them, but scarcely had he consumed 
the first bit of it he started to spit into the face of the old 
woman, saying, “pfuy-pfuy-pfuy, pitz a kaporo sollst du 
weren (be a victim and die) a miese meshuna sollst du 
einnehmen (sudden death shall come upon you) Du Chazir 
(you swine) was for fressen is das (what kind of food is 
this?)” 

R. Jakaw started to feel bad, so that he took the bottle 
with shnaps and swallowed a great deal of it in order to 
prevent vomiting. 


75 


The old woman feeling insulted, shouted at him, “What 
for a lat is of dir? (what is the trouble) Bist du meshuga, 
metorof ? (are you crazy or confused?) I have put in them 
all what is only good and dear and he spits it out.” 

So then she took one of those cheesecakes and ate, but 
indeed it tasted bad. “Now this is but the work of your 
mamzerim (bastards)” she said. R. Jakaw made an in¬ 
vestigation about the matter but no one would admit though 
Mendele Rotzer told them all his tricks, still they would 
not reveal this secret. 

Now the joys of the Shabeschanuka were distroyed for 
R. Jakaw. Also the good humor of the old woman, the 
Babe, vanished and now if it would not have been for the 
sake of Shabeth Chanuka she would not go a step out of the 
house, but because on this Shaboth they read aloud in the 
temple out of two Sephorim (scroll books) she felt it a 
duty to go and began to dress herself and make toilette. 

This Chanuka was especially a great amusement for 
the scholars on account of Mendele Rotzer’s tricks. 

Meanwhile the babe made toilette, the boys had to 
leave the room and outside they planned to play another 
trick to the old woman. It just happened that Chajim 
had in his hand an advertising circular of a menagerie. 
This circular they determined to pin on the shawl of the 
old woman and Mendel Rotzer was chosen to do this. 

As the Babe was done with putting on her black silk 
hood, she called in to the children, “Come In” then she took 
her long heavy shawl and put it around her shoulders, 
whereby the scholars helped her. The Shawl was pinned in 
front with a breast pin, this was done by Chajim and as • 
Chajim could not reach her neck she had to sit down on a 
chair. To this service Chajim needed more time as usually, 
wherefore the Babe got angry, but he excused himself, be¬ 
cause he is not skilled enough saying,” I do not know why 
my hands are so cold to-day, they are altogether stiff.” 


76 


Meanwhile had Mendele Rotzer gained much time to 
fasten the circular on the Babe’s shawl on her back. The old 
woman put her hands in the muff and went to the synagogue 
accompanied by a great many of those scholars. While 
she was walking along and behind her the boys, whom other 
boys also joined, she arrived to the Judengasse and there 
the unruly children started to laugh and mock at her. 

Indeed the old woman seemed to like one who wishes 
to make puffing for a menagerie. But she herself did not 
notice anything until she entered the Synagogue. There the 
ladies looked at her, they burst into a fit of laughter and only 
one woman who pittied her came to her and took off this 
circular from her shawl. Now she knew why those children 
made such noise. 

As she came home, she told her husband all what hap¬ 
pened to her and showed him also the corpus delecty, but 
the old man shaked himself for laughing. Of course much 
less about the trick of his scholars, but much more out of 
vengence about the spoiled cheesecakes, which she prepared 
for the Shabath. 

The next day the babe scolded all the scholars, but R. 
Jakaw did not mind it much and went to his daily work. 

After Chanuka was over it began to snow and at this 
occasion the scholars had their fun again. 

It was a severe winter and in the Judengasse the women 
had their stands in every corner selling frozen apples. 
Frozen apples a delight. The apples were hard like stone, 
cold like ice and one had to suck and leak until one was able 
to bite off a piece of same, which afterwards melted on the 
tongue like a piece of ice cream. Frozen apples were most 
delicious, a dainty for those scholars. They could get three 
or four pieces for one Krenzer. 

Those children who were better supplied with money 
bought those apples as a dainty bit and served them also as 
a refreshment against the fierce heat and evil savor which 
has been in that Cheder. 


77 


Chajim had three Krenzer pocket money every day, of 
which he spent in the morning two cents and in the afternoon 
one cent. The best he loved to eat was raisins and almonds. 
But in winter he loved to buy frozen apples, too, and divided 
them usually with those scholars who were without means. 

The little Simon Flomfeder, a weakly boy with a dirty 
nose but prudent was his intimate friend and of what Chajim 
divided, Simon had always the greatest portion. Simon was 
of poor parentage and had never a cent in his pocket. 

And so it came to pass that on one cold winter after¬ 
noon, that on account of the heat in the Cheder the throats 
of the boys were dry, fainting for thirst, but none of them 
possessed a cent, so that they would buy an apple. 

Simon sat on the bench, thinking over the matter, what 
shall be done. At four o’clock in the afternoon when they 
were to have free hours he said, “Boys, come, we will buy 
apples.” But the boys looked at him with mocking faces, 
for they knew well that he had no money not even one cent. 

Again he shouted,” Boys come to buy apples and if I 
should not create for you apples you shall beat me on my 
behind as much as you wish to.” This beating was a custom 
as punishment in the Talmud School. Every new Scholar 
was beaten, he was streched out on the table, every one 
separate gave one strike with his hand on his behind. 

The strikes were counted by the a b c and not more than 
twice was allowed to repeat the a b c, but one could redeem 
himself from those strikes for a few cents which they have 
then spent. Also every traitor had to endure such strikes. 

At last all scholars followed Simon with the intention 
that they will soon have a victim on whom to practice the 
strikes, for, that Simon should be able to create apples, they 
did not dream. 

And so Simon led them till the corner of the gate of the 
Judengasse, there was sitting an old woman enveloped in 
her shawl and warming her hands and feet on a pot with 
glowing wooden coal. She sat at a little wooden table on 


78 


which the frozen apples were heaped up in parts, four apples 
in one heap, such heap had cost one Kreuzer. 

Simon stepped near to the table lifting up soon one 
heap, soon another, on every one he had to find some fault. 
One heap was worm eaten, another was rotten and so for a 
time he made his tricks, at last he said. “She shall give him 
six apples for one cent. And as the woman did not want to 
consent to his proposition he turned over the table, so that 
the apples got scattered on the ground and ran away, and the 
woman after him; of course, were his legs swifter then those 
of the woman so that she was not able to overtake him and 
while running he turned with his face to the scholars calling 
to them “take! take!” This of course was a sign given to 
them, they shall take these apples which were on the ground 
and they all had filled their pockets. Simon turned to the 
pursuing woman saying. “You fool, why do you pursue me, 
don’t you see them there, how they fill their pockets full with 
your apples!” Now the woman again turned and ran back 
and pursued the thieves there. Meanwhile Simon returned 
to the stand and filled his pocket with apples. 

The woman looking back, she saw again how Simon is 
filling his pockets with apples, she hastened back in order to 
catch Simon, but of no avail. The others escaped with their 
booty unharmed and so did Simon. 

As the scholars, who were chewing the apples again 
were assembled in the Cheder, Simon said to them, “Now 
did I say a lie?” This is not a great art to buy apples for 
money but to get without any money. Thereby were his eyes 
watered for joy. 

But the apple robbery had its later event, for the 
woman had inquired who those children are and found that 
these are the scholars of R. Jakaw and on the next day she 
came into the cheder and related to R. Jakaw all what hap¬ 
pened and as she pointed upon Simon that he was the leader, 
R. Jakaw’s anger was kindled to an extent unlimited. He 
then returned all the loss she bore through those unruly 


79 


children and he took them off from their pocket money 
which they use to get from the teacher. 

From this day on the children never dared to go near to 
the way where the woman kept her stand. 

Meanwhile the purim feast drew near and the scholars 
prepared their play which is called “Purimspiel” and at the 
time of the feast they were very successful so that they were 
praised by all the Jews in town. 

A few days after Purim, R. Jakaw took sick and in a 
few days after he departed his soul and expired. 

All the scholars, all people from near and far accom¬ 
panied him to his grave. Many great Rabbies spoke their 
eulogies and pointed to his great scholarship especially on 
Talmud so that his name remained a long rememberance to 
those who knew him in his life and an everlasting monument 
to his relatives and scholars in general. 

And so we were able to display and discribe the wise and 
manner of the Cheder of old, whereby we tried to make im¬ 
mortal the name of this worthy melamed. 


80 


LOVE 

Love is the golden gate, 

It’s doors are open to consecrate, 

Life’s passage of any faith, 

A lasting union to elaborate. 

Love means me and thee 

Brotherly love is the key, 

Which opens eyes well to see 

That faith and law should agree. 

No more idol idolized 

But in love immortalized; 

In love’s worship, not disguised 
You find bliss, never dispised. 

Israel’s motto: love thy God 

With wealth, soul and thy heart; 

Jews as Christians do regard 

Love thy neighbors with soul and heart. 

Love will be Mesias work 

Who was hatched in city New York 

Through love he will open the golden gate 
And lead to Zion those of his faith. 


81 


SUPPLEMENT 

The story “Reward for Benefaction” may be a moral 
lesson to mankind in general, for it teaches that not only 
the benefactor is rewarded, but also the rewarder himself 
is repaid; consequently, all good deeds in life, all good ac¬ 
complishments are compensated by the one who is watching 
our steps, and is repaying all actions, goodness and evil in 
one measure. 

The story, “Soul’s Destiny” teaches that those who 
believe in immortality of the soul, may also believe that the 
soul is coming back into this world, and is placed through 
love’s magnetism into any human being’s body, and when 
here it turns to its first origin of faith. 

The story of “Jokai” may be a lesson to pastors of all 
denominations; they should give up arguing, and turn their 
eyes to the law of Moses, who was the father of all religions. 
Let them combine, work out, one religion for all mankind. 

History teaches us; some 50 years B. C. an Ethiopian 
queen, Helene, together with her son, Isates, renounced their 
dignity, gave up their throne and embraced the Jewish faith, 
out of pure love to that true and sublime religion. They 
moved to Jerusalem and lived there until their death. One 
can see their graves to this day. 

History teaches us that Aquilas, the Proselyte, trans¬ 
lated the entire Bible in Greek. It is claimed that he was 
related to Hadrian the Roman Emperor. He lived on the 
island, Pontus and owned a great deal of land. He occupied 
himself with research in theology, and as he was unable to 
satisfy the cravings of his soul with idolatry, he became a 
Christian. 

The Christians rejoiced greatly at this succession to 
their ranks, but their joy was short-lived, for Christianity 
also failed to soothe his restless spirit, and he therefore, be¬ 
came a convert to Judaism, and led a more vigorously, pious 
life than many of the sages. When his idolatrous father 


82 


died, he left, among other things, golden gods. His brothers 
took them and wanted to buy his share of the gods by giving 
him other articles of value, but he would not make any use of 
that which they paid him for his portion, and threw it into 
the sea. 

Tradition tells us that before Acquilas became a con¬ 
vert, he sought the advice of Hadrian as to what business he 
should occupy himself in. Hadrian told him that if he would 
travel through different lands and find some valuable things 
that this world did not understand and despised, he should 
buy them. Immediately after, he accepted the Jewish faith. 
When Hadrian became aware of his action, he send soldiers 
to bring him to his palace; but Acquilas so convinced them 
of the truth of Judaism that they all became converts. 
Hadrian sent another regiment and commanded them they 
should not exchange one word with him. They captured 
him and conducted him to the King. When he left his house, 
he put his hand on the Mezuza (the prayer fastened on the 
doorpost) and began to laugh. The soldiers asked why he 
laughed, and he replied, “See the difference between a mortal 
king and my mortal king. A mortal king sits in his palace 
and his army guards him on the outside. But with God, it 
is different. His subjects sit inside, and he stands by the 
door and guards them from all evil.” 

This lead to a discussion and he again proved the truth 
of Judaism, and they, too, became converts. 

Hadrian did not dare send any more soldiers but sent 
a message requesting him to appear before Hadrian, who 
asked, “What is the reason that you bound yourself to such 
an unfortunate nation which is despised and scorned by all?” 

Acquilas replied, “I did as you advised. Did you not 
tell me that if I find something of great value that is despised 
by all I should purchase it? The Jewish learning is the most 
valuable thing in the world, and the other nations disregard 
it; but the time will come when all nations will recognize the 
pure spirit contained therein.” 


83 


There was an old custom among the Jews of Palastine, 
which was inaugurated during Ezra’s time, that the read¬ 
ings of the scrolls should not only be done in the holy langu- 
age, but in the language of the masses, so that all should com¬ 
prehend the significance of the Torah. At first the common 
tongue was Aramic, but later the Jews spoke Greek and used 
the Septuagint in the Synagogue to translate the Bible from 
Hebrew to Greek. But gradually many errors crept into 
the Septuagint. The Christians were in the main responsible 
for these errors, having made them to prove their dogmas, 
and the Jews found it essential to have a new translation, 
and this gigantic work was successfully carried out by Aqui- 
las, the Proselyte. He submitted his translation to the 
learned Jews of that period, and they were highly pleased 
with it. Later some one used this Greek translation to re¬ 
translate the Bible into Aramic; that translation is called 
“Targum Onkelos” which we now have. 

Let religions be amalgamated* 

Fundamentals perpetuated! 

Let Moses’s laws be a guide, 

By its fundamentals do abide! 

Let from Zion the law go out, 

Let from Jerusalem God’s word sprout! 













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